Joao supports aspiring Olympians
Liverpool's latest recruit Joao Carlos Teixeira paid a visit to Kensington Sports Centre to support aspiring young stars at a Premier League 4 Sport event.
The Portugese youth international, just signed in from Sporting Lisbon, joined Academy hopefuls Brad Smith and Suso, and the pair posed for pictures and signed numerous autographs.
The Premier League 4 Sport scheme aims to introduce four different Olympic sports to youngsters in the region - volleyball, table tennis, badminton and netball.
The initiative hopes to curb the drop-off in young people's participation in sports after leaving secondary school, as well as offering five hours of activities to youngsters as part of the government's 2012 legacy plans.
The Academy trio were supporting youngsters aged between eight and 16 from the Chinese Pagoda Community Centre, and there was certainly some talented badminton players on show.
Led by the expert tuition of lead badminton coach at the Kensington Sports Centre Rob Sowden, the kids gave a fantastic demonstration of their skills to an appreciative Academy trio.
England U17 international Smith, currently in rehabilitation after injury, enjoyed putting something back into the community and showing his support for the youngsters.
He said: "It was good to come down to an event like this and meet youngsters from the local community.
"I loved playing a lot of sports when I was growing up but football obviously was the main one for me.
"It's nice to see the great work the club does behind the scenes helping the community and if we can help out and inspire the kids in some way then that's great."
Gemma Smith, LFC Foundation Premier League 4 Sport coordinator, said: "The LFC Premier League 4 Sport scheme started in 2009 and I have been in the job six months now and it is going from strength to strength.
"The idea behind it is with the Olympics happening this year we are trying to encourage more youngsters to take up sport, and you never know in 10 years' time we might have someone representing their country in a major event.
"Each week roughly we organise 23 sessions across Liverpool and Wirral getting youngsters involved in volleyball, table tennis, netball and badminton."
Helen Owen, from the Chinese Pagoda Community Centre, added: "The young people really enjoy the badminton sessions and they always look forward to coming down every Wednesday, and they all have a great time.
"It's also good for social interaction, fitness and health. The kids enjoy these activities and that's so important.
"The Liverpool Football Club Premier League 4 Sport project is absolutely brilliant and without their support we wouldn't be here today.
"At one point the future of the Chinese Pagoda Community Centre was unclear because our funding stopped and we didn't have any money.
"Liverpool Football Club then got involved and sponsored us and we are absolutely grateful for their support and what they do for this community.
"The LFC community coaches are always fantastic and the work they do is invaluable."
Here are some great pics from the event
