A free football programme for teenagers which combines training with mentoring and personal development opportunities has been launched in Bicester and Didcot.
Premier League Kicks engages young people with football-based fun to inspire participants to reach their true potential while educating them about the dangers of anti-social behaviour and youth violence.
The programme has now been expanded across Oxfordshire by its local delivery partner Oxford United in the Community, who also run weekly sessions in Oxford, Banbury and Witney during term time.
The new sessions are suitable for participants of all playing abilities aged 13-18 and are being rolled out on Thursday evenings at Bicester Leisure Centre and Willowbrook Leisure Centre on Mondays in Didcot.
Mark Thomas, social inclusion lead at Oxford United in the Community, is encouraging young U’s fans and football enthusiasts living in the county to sign-up and join the fun.
“Premier League Kicks has gone from strength to strength since we first started delivering the programme in 2020,” said Mark. “It’s free, fun and we place a strong emphasis on participants’ development on and off the pitch.
“Expanding our delivery into Didcot and Bicester aligns with our ambition to positively engage more people of all ages with the power of football and the Oxford United badge.
“The programme is linked to our thriving Development Centre too, with players who display a positive attitude and skills on the pitch invited to be part of one of our male and female development squads.
“We have five more weeks of delivery remaining until the summer break – so anyone interested in joining we’d encourage to sign-up and get involved.”
Since Premier League Kicks’ launch in 2006, the programme has engaged 500,000 young people with former participants including Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice and Wilfried Zaha.
Those interested in signing-up to Oxford United in the Community’s Premier League Kicks sessions can click here or email plkicks@oufc.co.uk to register.
Full details of each Oxford United in the Community Premier League Kicks session can be viewed below:
Didcot
Session #1 – Willowbrook Leisure Centre indoor sports hall. Girls only session. Mondays: 4.30pm – 5.30pm. Suitable for pupils in Year 9-13. Trainers or indoor football shoes required.
Session #2 – Willowbrook Leisure Centre indoor sports hall. Mixed gender session. Mondays: 5.30pm – 6.30pm. Suitable for pupils in Year 9-13. Trainers or indoor football shoes required.
APPLY HERE
Witney
Session #1 – Witney Artificial Turf Pitch, Gordon Way, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 4EH. Mixed gender session. Wednesdays: 5pm – 6pm. Suitable for pupils in Year 9-13. Moulded boots or astro trainers required.
APPLY HERE
Bicester
Session #1 – Bicester Leisure Centre astroturf pitches. Mixed gender session. Thursdays: 6.15pm – 7.15pm. Suitable for pupils in Year 9-13. Moulded boots or astro trainers required.
APPLY HERE
Banbury
Session #1 – The Hill Sports and Community Facility. Mixed gender session. Fridays: 4.30pm – 5.30pm. Suitable for pupils in Year 5-8.
Session #2 – The Hill Sports and Community Facility. Girls only session. Fridays: 5.45pm – 6.45pm. Suitable for pupils in Year 6-11.
Session #3 – North Oxfordshire Academy. Mixed gender session. Fridays: 7pm – 8pm. Suitable for pupils in Year 9-13.
APPLY HERE
Oxford
Session #1 – Leys Pools & Leisure Centre, Pegasus Rd, Oxford OX4 6JL. Mixed gender session. Fridays: 6pm – 7.30pm. Suitable for Ages 11-14.
Session #2 – Leys Pools & Leisure Centre, Pegasus Rd, Oxford OX4 6JL. Mixed gender session. Fridays: 7.30pm – 9pm. Suitable for Ages 15-18.
APPLY HERE