To celebrate the launch of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Schools Programme, England Women’s superstars Demi Stokes and Leah Williamson each surprised a group of primary school children from two of the UEFA Women’s EURO England 2022 Host Cities.

Leah Williamson (Photo by Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

The two England players joined in to lend a helping hand as pupils from Emerson Valley School in Milton Keynes and Manchester-based Charlestown Community Primary School were busy taking part in classes from the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Schools Programme.

The programme that aims to inspire and unite schools and communities to grow the women’s game, gives teachers across the country access to a digital pack, consisting of free, cross-curricular resources all themed around the UEFA Women’s EURO.

Stokes and Williamson, who dialled in virtually to the lessons, not only got the 9-11 year-old pupils excited about meeting the star women’s players, but also helped them crack some of the Schools Programme challenges, such as designing a kit, preparing a half time team talk and researching some of the icons of the game, all before answering their questions about the upcoming tournament.

Demi Stokes who surprised Charlestown Community Primary School based just a few miles from her club Manchester City, said “It was great to surprise the school kids and host a class all about the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022. It’s important they’re able to learn more about women’s football and be inspired to take part in this massive tournament in some way. The opening match is in their hometown of Manchester and I know their school has a group booking of tickets for it, so I hope we make it an incredible experience for them all!’

The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Schools Programme resources are suited for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 [8-14 years of age] and have been developed and tested by teachers to encourage teamwork, creativity and a love of sport. The activities, which cover subjects including PE, English, Maths, PSHE [Personal, Social, Health and Economic education], Science and Art & Design, can be differentiated for pupils of varied abilities or with SEND and can be used in the classroom or at home.

Demi Stokes of England (Photo by Lynne Cameron – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

The resources fit in with the school curriculum and include an array of activities and tips from how to run a EURO themed assembly to challenge packs consisting of 23 activities, such as making a mini stadium out of recycled materials and preparing a motivational speech as a team captain. Pupils will be able to fill out a tournament time journal as well as take on the role of organisers with creating their own Fan Zone.

As part of the programme, one lucky school that downloads the resources will also win a Q&A session with one of the England stars playing in the tournament, while other top prizes will be given out to schools in the lead-up to the first match on 6 July.

Milton Keynes born Leah Williamson who surprised her hometown School, Emerson Valley said, “Many of us players discovered our love for football at school, so we know first-hand what an important role teachers play when it comes to instilling a passion for the game and developing the skills we need.

“I loved surprising the class from my hometown of Milton Keynes! It’s great that they’re able to learn more about women’s football and UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 – especially as they have group tickets to some of the games on their doorstep at Stadium MK.

“We’d love as many pupils and schools as possible to enjoy the UEFA Women’s EURO this summer, with it being on home soil. The Schools Programme is packed full of resources to inspire children in the lead-up to the tournament and beyond, so I hope all schools get involved with the Programme to help provide a lasting legacy.”

To download the resources, and stand a chance of winning a Q&A with an England player, as well as many other prizes, visit www.weuro2022schools.com

The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 takes place in England in July and is due to be the biggest European women’s sport event in history. 16 nations will compete across 10 venues, in nine host cities, all kicking off on 6 July at Old Trafford, with the final at Wembley Stadium on 31 July.

Schools can purchase group tickets for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 up to 8 February, using code SCHOOLS www.uefa.com/womenseuro/ticketing/

With thanks to UEFA via M&C Saatchi

Leah Williamson who currently plays for Arsenal and the England national team, poses for a group photo with players and coaches of Coach of Life programme which is run at a community centre in Jakarta, Indonesia. Developed in partnership with Save the Children’s child psycho-social experts and Arsenal FC, local coaches are trained to help children improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

The UEFA Foundation for Children has teamed up with The Arsenal Foundation and Save the Children to improve the lives of children and in particular girls, in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Many are forced to try to earn a living from a young age and, as a result, miss out on school education. Unfortunately, some encounter violence and end up in poverty, with little hope of changing their lives around for the better.

Coaching for Life

The Arsenal Foundation, in collaboration with Save the Children, has developed a programme called Coaching for Life. Delivered exclusively through football and on-pitch sessions, the programme incorporates Save the Children’s expertise in child protection and resilience building.

The Coaching for Life programme aims to support girls in Indonesia by building their courage and inner strength through innovative coaching modules to help them stand up for their rights and combat the challenges they face, such as having to work from a young age to provide for their families, and the risks of child marriage and early pregnancy.

Football coaches from Arsenal FC are being brought in to train local coaches and are conducting some sessions with them. Together with the children, they explore topics such as emotions, communicating and decision-making. The programme is also helping to renovate seven football pitches to give the youngsters a safe place to play.

To ensure a long-lasting legacy, the Arsenal coaches are training 35 coaches in Jakarta, and some 1,500 parents and caregivers will also participate in the programme, enhancing their ability to support their children’s well-being.

Leah Williamson visits a home of Diah, 14, who is one of participants in Coach of Life programme held at a community centre in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Essential life skills

Arsenal’s Leah Williamson has seen first-hand the positive impact that the project has had on girls in Jakarta. The England international defender visited the Indonesian capital in 2019 to deliver a masterclass for girls involved in the pioneering football coaching programme.

“The young girls in Jakarta inspired me and have made me incredibly proud to be a woman and a role model to young girls,” she said. “I have been at Arsenal since I was nine and have always known about our place and role in our community. It’s in our DNA. We all understand it’s a privilege to use the power of the club to do good. When you apply it in a really special way, it can be used to achieve brilliant things – develop confidence, resilience and essential skills for life.

“Whether you’re growing up in London, Jordan or Jakarta, football has the power to bring people together and offer a lifeline. It was amazing to see how Coaching for Life has been built in partnership with Save the Children to create something so special to inspire the girls I met.”

Football is a powerful tool

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin chairs the foundation’s board of trustees and hails the work undertaken since 2015, and how football is proving to be a major force for social good.

“Having had the opportunity to be personally involved in various projects, I have seen that football is an extremely powerful tool,” said the UEFA president.

“Whether it is in refugee camps across the world, the troubled suburbs of European cities or forgotten conflict zones, all the activities supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children have strengthened my desire to see European football assume its role in the social development of young people all over the world.”

The young girls in Jakarta inspired me and have made me incredibly proud to be a woman and a role model to young girls. I have been at Arsenal since I was nine and have always known about our place and role in our community. It’s in our DNA. We all understand it’s a privilege to use the power of the club to do good. When you apply it in a really special way, it can be used to achieve brilliant things – develop confidence, resilience and essential skills for life.

Whether you’re growing up in London, Jordan or Jakarta, football has the power to bring people together and offer a lifeline. It was amazing to see how Coaching for Life has been built in partnership with Save the Children to create something so special to inspire the girls I met.

– Leah Williams, Arsenal player and international defender