Academy hosts Hillsborough memorial tournament and educational activities

Squads from the U9, U10 and U11 age groups played in a four-team tournament in Kirkby on Friday that involved sides representing Liverpool, Everton, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest.

Off the pitch, the young players from each club received education at the AXA Training Centre about the disaster that unfolded at Hillsborough on April 15, 1989 and the 97 supporters who lost their lives in the tragedy.

They also listened to an inspiring address from Margaret Aspinall, former chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, who lost her 18-year-old son James, accompanied by club chaplain Bill Bygroves.

Each year group and their families then paid their respects at the Hillsborough memorial at the AXA Training Centre, holding a minute’s silence and laying wreaths.

Liverpool’s U12 age group paid their respects at the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield on Friday morning, laying a wreath.

They too later received education about the disaster, and heard a poignant talk from LFCTV commentator Steve Hunter, who was present at Hillsborough as a young fan.

The squad then travelled to Sheffield for a tournament, where they also visited the memorial at the stadium itself and laid a wreath there.

The club’s U14 age group received their own educational talk at the AXA Training Centre and laid a wreath at the memorial.

The activities were coordinated by LFC head of education Caitlin Hawkins alongside coaches John Thompson, Michael Yates and Phil Charnock.

“At the Academy we believe that establishing an emotional connection between our young players and the club they represent is paramount to their development as players and people,” said Hawkins.

“In light of this, we place great importance on educating our players around the history of the club and giving them a keen awareness of Hillsborough, which is woven into its fabric.”