LFC Foundation coaches ran free football and multi-sports camps in four locations across the city for youngsters aged six-14 during the October half-term, with funding from the James Milner Foundation.

The camps in Anfield, Kirkby, Toxteth and Netherton were made available to both existing LFC Foundation participants who regularly attend community provision, as well new young players from a variety of backgrounds to experience the Foundation’s programmes.

Across the four locations, a total of 532 participants attended (170 at North Liverpool Academy in Anfield, 134 at Kirkby Leisure Centre, 120 at the Tiber Centre in Toxteth and 108 in Netherton Activity Centre).

Funded by the James Milner Foundation, the delivery model places a key emphasis on safety, having fun and creating an engaging, inclusive environment for all, implementing the FA’s Four Corner Model to help each player’s development.

Following the successful summer period of delivery, LFC Foundation continued to adhere to strict COVID-19 safety procedures, including the reduction in participant numbers for each camp, reducing the length of each session and a COVID-19 questionnaire completed by parents and guardians for all prior to attendance.

No parents could watch the sessions, face masks were worn, sanitisation stations were provided, and staff implemented safe distancing. 

Packed lunches prepared by Liverpool FC chefs at Anfield were provided daily for each participant, which ensured all health, fitness and nutrition were all prioritised across the delivery of the camps.

Since 2016, LFC Foundation has partnered with the James Milner Foundation for the provision of football during school half-terms, specifically focusing on areas of high need and deprivation. The objectives include helping children to develop social skills, make new friends and, more recently, to build confidence in times of uncertainty.

Parents provided feedback to the coaches anonymously, with one saying: “I just wanted to thank you for the effort you gave to help get Matthew to the camp on Monday. As expected, he was fine once he was there and he had a great time. Lockdown has affected him and caused his confidence to drop and become very clingy. Your camp has definitely helped his confidence.”

Another parent said: “My son and his friends loved it and can't wait for the next one. He said that the coaching was amazing and the atmosphere was great too.”

Meanwhile, another parent said: “When I turned up to pick him up, it was nice to see the kids all smiling and enjoying themselves. I overheard other parents saying how much their children had enjoyed the camp too and how football training of this quality was needed in the community.”

To learn more about LFC Foundation, please visit www.liverpoolfc.com/foundation.