Unlocking Potential is a joint enterprise, with the Leeds United Foundation, 49ers Foundation and NFL Foundation all working together to engage youngsters across Leeds in flag football. The programme has surpassed its target of 2,000 beneficiaries in two years, and aims to introduce another 1,000 children to the sport in its third year.

The Leeds United Foundation are delivering 12-week blocks of flag football in eighteen primary schools with Unlocking Potential aiming to encourage participation and skill development in the sport, in addition to participants also gaining life skills and unique opportunities such as playing on the Elland Road turf.

Leeds United Foundation’s Unlocking Potential Senior Co-Ordinator, Jack Pownall, was delighted with how the event played out: “It’s a great way to wrap up a second year, with over 250 kids from nine of our schools having a real good go at a competitive match. For the last 12 weeks they’ve been looking at individual skills into a match and this is a great way of ending that.

“We’ve got a brand new sport into Leeds where the inclusion is so high. Engagement is really high. We go into schools and we see kids having fun, but also developing skills which they can take with them for future life.”

There was also praise for the event from Club Ambassador Lucas Radebe, who returned to the Elland Road pitch to show his support: “To give the children access to explore other sporting activity like flag football and to run around and have fun on such a fine pitch, I think these kids will be inspired forever.”

Mr Hayes, who teaches at Hunslet Moor Primary School, says the children at his school had been excited for the event: “It’s been a great treat for them to come and do this on the first day back after SATS. Even the year 5s, they have been non-stop talking about it at school. It’s been great!”

Peter Mackreth is the Dean of Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University, who have worked on the monitoring, evaluation, and learnings from Unlocking Potential, with the University hosting the first year event. (https://www.leedsunited.com/en/news/unlocking-potential-celebrates-year-one-success) Peter was delighted to once again see the impact of the programme.

“There’s so many kids here enjoying themselves, learning a new sport, being physically active and living the dream in terms of playing at Elland Road. This is all about raising aspirations, it’s about their learning and making friendships along the way as well so it’s a fantastic opportunity for them.”

More information about the Unlocking Potential programme can be found here. (https://www.leedsunited.com/en/news/nfl-foundation-uk-san-francisco-49ers-and-leeds-united-foundation-partner-to).