Schoolchildren from Foundation primary, secondary and special needs schools have been invited to play on the Old Trafford Pitch.
The Manchester United Foundation participants enjoyed the chance to be coached and play as part of the Play on the Pitch initiative – helping to make sport accessible to communities across the country.
The initiative creates opportunities in sport for young people and 48 kids plus an additional six from the Ability Counts programme were given the chance to play.
Many of the participants on the day had been rewarded for achievements at school during the past year which has been heavily disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic.
As well as getting to play on the pitch they visited the dressing rooms, the player’s tunnel and enjoyed a footballing session on the pitch as part of a full match day experience.
The Premier League trophy was on display at the event, and the pupils taking part had the chance to have their picture taken with the silverware by the Old Trafford dugout.
Commenting on the activities on the day, Philippa Harrison, community engagement manager for Manchester United Foundation, said: “Today has been a really memorable day for our participants and we’re really grateful for the opportunity to make it happen.
“We’ve had three groups of young people from across lots of our different projects and the reaction of the kids has been amazing.
“From playing out on the pitch to getting a tour of the first-team dressing room it’s a day that they’ll never forget and, for us, it’s just brilliant to be able to facilitate this for them.”
A key theme of the day was the celebration of women’s football, following the launch of the UEFA Women’s Euros to be held in England in 2022.
Many participants involved were therefore budding female players from across our schools and projects.
Emma, a student at Dean Trust Wigan, said: “It’s been amazing and I’ve had butterflies just thinking about it.
“I loved the 6v6 games as it felt like you were in a real game with an actual audience.
“I’m not going to shut up about it; I’m going to tell everyone.
“I play football inside and outside of school, so it makes me happy to see more girls like me playing and enjoying football together.”
Also in attendance was referee Rebecca Welch, who recently became the first woman to officiate a match in the English Football League.
Rebecca took part in some of the sessions and also spent time talking to those present, passing on words of wisdom to inspire the next generation.
“I think Manchester United Foundation does a great job in giving amazing opportunities like this to young people,” she said.
“The chance to come along and play football at Old Trafford is something that may not have been possible for them if it wasn’t for the Foundation, and the kids are going to go home tonight thinking ‘I want to do this every week!’ The work they do here is absolutely brilliant; we’ve seen that today on the pitch.”