Luis Sinisterra was the special guest at a Premier League Primary Stars tournament recently, surprising a numer of local teams full of aspiring young footballers.
The Leeds United winger was on hand at the John Smeaton Leisure Centre in Leeds, where hundreds of children were taking part in a football tournament that was being hosted by coaches from the club’s official charity, teaming up with the Schools Sports Partnership.
The Year 5 and Year 6 students from primary schools across the city were competing for a place in the Premier League National Competition, with the opportunity to represent the club and the Leeds United Foundation in the final in June 2023.
During the visit, the 23-year-old Colombia international spent time meeting each team in attendance and having photos with them, whilst also answering questions from the excited youngsters and offering words of advice around what it takes to become a footballer, continuing to work hard and enjoying playing.
Kelly Jackson-Powell, a Premier League Primary Stars Team Leader for the Leeds United Foundation spoke about the influence of having Luis in attendance on the day, she said: “The children absolutely loved having the chance to meet Luis at the event today, it’s put so many smiles on their faces and seeing someone like him doing this in the community is just incredible. I think he seemed really humble about what he does but the impact that will have on the children will be amazing.
“Over the course of the week, we have had seven different competitions, with morning and afternoon slots every day, and across all different locations in Leeds. The top two teams every day will then make it through to a final’s day, where the winning team will then go on to represent Leeds United at the Premier League tournament in June, which this year will be held at Elland Road.”
The Premier League Primary Stars initiative is delivered across the country within thousands of schools, and it enables coaches to use the appeal of the Premier League and professional football clubs to support and engage pupils in the classroom, on the playground and on the sports field.
If you would like any more information around the tournament that featured over 70 different schools in Leeds or the Premier League Primary Stars programme, please contact [email protected].
