Two teams of local young people representing Watford FC and its Community Sports and Education Trust have won both the Under-16 mixed and Under-16 girls’ Premier League Kicks Cup regional tournament, hosted by Charlton Athletic Community Trust.
The Watford FC teams were joined by Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers, Wimbledon, Millwall, Chelsea, Fulham, Leyton Orient, and Brentford at the tournament. Coincidentally, both teams overcame Millwall in their respective finals. Off the pitch, the players engaged in a series of motivational and anti-bullying workshops. Metropolitan Police were also in attendance to deliver a workshop and meet young people.
Premier League Kicks Manager at Watford FC’s CSE Trust, Michael Williams, said:
“We’re proud of our teams who represented themselves, the Trust, and Watford FC excellently, both on and off the pitch. Thanks to Charlton Athletic Community Trust for hosting a great tournament and the Premier League for continuing to support us in giving local young people these fantastic opportunities through the Premier League Kicks programme.”
Nine regional tournaments are being staged at community facilities across the country, with hundreds of young people representing Premier League, EFL and National League clubs, hoping to win the opportunity to represent their club in the Premier League Kicks Cup 2025 finals at St George’s Park in July; which is the prize awaiting both the Hornets’ teams thanks to their efforts in the regional tournament.
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are the current Premier League Kicks Cup champions, having won the Under-16 mixed and Under-16 girls’ tournaments respectively in 2024.
The Premier League Kicks Cup tournament is one of the competition elements of Premier League Kicks. The programme uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas of England and Wales.
Premier League Charitable Fund Chief Executive, Ruth Shaw OBE, said:
“Premier League Kicks gives young people the opportunity to access free football in their local community.
Over 1,400 young people from 93 professional football club community organisations will take part in the regional tournaments, where they will enjoy competitive football and make friends along the way. They will also have the chance to engage in activities that will help them develop on and off the pitch.”
In addition to providing young people with access to free football and sports activities, professional football club community organisations (CCOs) also provide additional year-round support through Premier League Kicks.
This includes offering mentoring, life-skills advice and access to opportunities such as volunteering and social action to help aid personal development.
Premier League Kicks began in 2006. Since then, more than 550,000 young people have participated in Premier League Kicks football and multi-sport sessions delivered by 93 Premier League, English Football League and National League sides. More than one million hours of sessions have been delivered across England and Wales.
To date, the Premier League has invested more than £91.7 million in Premier League Kicks through the Premier League Charitable Fund.
Visit premierleague.com for more information.
To find out more about the Trust and their local delivery of Premier League Kicks, you can visit www.watfordfccsetrust.com, or contact Michael Williams by emailing michael.williams@watfordfc.com
