Dear diary, this February half-term has been a busy one! Watford Football Club’s Community Sports and Education Trust has been out and about, engaging hundreds of local young people in a range of community activities; improving skills, learning, health, and personal development. To top it off, the Hornets’ players have been dropping in to make some lasting memories.
Football Camps
Over 400 children attended the football camps hosted at Westfield Academy in Watford, Roundwood Park in Harpenden, and the Trust’s community hub in Harrow, Cedars Youth and Community Centre. Watford FC players visited youngsters on the Friday to finish the week off in style, players included Tom Ince, Leo Ramirez-Espain, Amin Nabizada, Alfie Marriott, and Tom Georgiou.
Click HERE to book your place on the football camps during the Easter school holidays this April.
Junior Hornets Together
On Tuesday 18th February, the Trust’s Hornets Together initiative teamed up with Watford FC’s free membership scheme for young supporters, Junior Hornets for a free afternoon of multisport activities at Meriden Community Centre. Watford FC players Josh Mullins, Travis Akomeah, and Tobi Adeyemo, joined the Junior Hornets for activities that included football, boxing, table tennis, and, arts and crafts.
Hornets Together delivers monthly health and wellbeing workshops and sessions for Watford FC fans and is supported by the Premier League Fans Fund. The Premier League Fans Fund provides grants to support football clubs at all levels of the game to strengthen connections between them, their fans and the local community.
For more information on Hornets Together, contact thomas.hosier@watfordfc.com or click HERE for information on how to become a Junior Hornet.
Premier League Kicks
Premier League Kicks, funded by the Premier League, through the Premier League Charitable Fund, uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales. The Trust’s team behind the local delivery of Premier League Kicks have overseen a number of activities during the February half-term:
- 11 young people took part in Hertfordshire FA’s Leadership Award at the Meriden Community Centre and will now be encouraged to volunteer at weekly sessions.
- Three participants took part in a youth forum and stadium tour at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, alongside other London Club Community Organisations (CCOs).
- 14 girls completed their Level 1 in Sports Leadership qualification at Cedars Youth & Community Centre.
- Seven young people from Ruislip Goals represented the Trust at Tottenham Foundation’s U14 Kicks Tournament. They participated in a workshop delivered by Paul Hannaford, before competing in small-sided matches against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Leyton Orient.
- 12 participants from Girls Football session to the Emirates for a stadium tour and mini-tournament alongside Arsenal in the Community and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.
“The whole experience was amazing, especially the tour! Thank you for taking me!”
“My favourite part was seeing the pitch up close and the trophies. It was so much fun playing against the other teams! I’d LOVE to do it again!”
For more information on how to get involved in this free programme delivered weekly across Hertfordshire and Harrow, contact michael.williams@watfordfc.com
Player Development Centre (PDC)
During the February half-term, the Trust ran sold-out PDC Technical Sessions on Monday, for their Under 9, 10, 11, and 12-year-old players. These sessions focused on refining core footballing skills like ball striking, control, manipulation, and movement, aimed at helping players master the basics. Exclusively for PDC players, the sessions provided a chance to improve individual technique. Additionally, Advanced PDC Fixtures took place, where players from Under 8 to Under 16 faced off against Cambridge United Elites, offering further development through competitive match experience.
Click HERE to find out more about the Player Development Centre programmes.
With February Half term now over, normal service resumes with children and young people back in schools, and the Trust back out engaging more people across Hertfordshire and Harrow. To find out more about the Trust, their community projects, or how to support them, please visit www.watfordfccsetrust.com
