Cian & Abid Shine on Premier League Kicks

Using the reach and appeal of the Premier League and network of professional football clubs, our Premier League Kicks sessions engage children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities in football, sport and personal development – providing a trusted, positive influence in high-need areas across England and Wales.

The goal of PL Kicks is to inspire young people to achieve their potential and improve their wellbeing, working together to build stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.

PL Kicks is for children and young people aged 8-18 years and is inclusive and accessible to all. We also seek to provide specific inclusive opportunities for key priority groups including girls, LGBT+ and children and young people with disabilities.

One of the coaches on our Kicks sessions, Abid Kabul, said:

“At first, a couple of my friends invited me to a Kicks session, and I said no. I’m thankful they encouraged me to come along because I’ve been here ever since and now I have the opportunity to make a career from it. Football is key to a successful community, but any kind of extra-curricular sport or activity are good at keeping kids off the streets. It ensures they’re doing something they enjoy in a fun and safe environment.”

A regular participant at our Springs Academy sessions, Cian Jordan, said:

“I’ve been coming to Kicks sessions for six years now. I love playing football and Kicks brings everyone together from different areas for a kickabout. It’s really improved my game and I’ve gained so many more friends from it. I hope in the future I can become a coach here.

Abid notes how far Cian has come in his development, he adds:

“I’ve known Cian for around a year now, and you can tell he really enjoys it here. He’s matured into a role model for the younger participants and really encourages them to get involved and fun. He’s always got a smile on his face.”

Our full Kicks timetable can be found here. All sessions are free to attend, simply turn up on the day.