The power of Premier League Inspires
The Premier League Charitable Fund
The Premier League Charitable Fund creates and supports activities that inspire young people to achieve their potential
The Premier League 's More than a game campaign is showcasing how its wide-ranging investment into all levels of football enables people connected to clubs to have a positive impact on their communities.
Here, three people from different football club charities share their stories of what Premier League Inspires means to them.
Bolton student Zahra struggled to engage in lessons at Bolton Muslim Girls’ school and was often a disruptive influence in class.?
She was?identified as someone who could benefit from the targeted work of Premier League Inspires, which works with young people at risk of not reaching their potential to help develop their skills.?
"I was a troublemaker," she says. "I wasn't a fan of going to lessons. I didn't really care about education, I'd misbehave and have problems with my focus."
And with the guidance and support of Bolton Wanderers in the Community, her attitude to learning has completely changed.
Zahra and her friends were asked to develop ideas for the annual Premier League Inspires Challenge, a social action project which last year focused on environmental sustainability. Zahra found herself excelling as a group leader.?
"They made me feel like I had a sense of belonging because I had a team, they chose me for any jobs to do,” she said. “I felt more confident."
As well as learning about environmental issues, Zahra has developed a sense of responsibility. "Now when I see a problem, I automatically want to change it,” she added. “Being part of a project to help the local community makes me feel so proud.
"I realised that if I can lead this project and make it what it is now, then I can study and make my exam results higher. It was the motivation I needed. My grades have improved massively.
"I am a new person. It’s been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
When Tom was younger, he did not have the best relationship with school life, struggling to engage with education and regularly missing lessons.?
"I wasn't really a fan of school, I wasn’t too bothered about what was going on, I just had to be there," says Tom. “I was a bit cheeky really, mischievous, and a few times I was on the verge of being kicked out.?
Four years ago, he was identified as someone who could benefit from being part of the Premier League Inspires programme run by City in the Community.
"When City first came in, I wasn’t interested at all. I initially thought that it’s going to get me out of a lesson which is a bit of a win.
"But straight away, the coaches were happy and were wanting to speak to us. I thought, ‘If they have made an effort with me, l'll make an effort with them.’ It went from there.”
Now,?thanks to his involvement in the programme, his relationship with school became far more positive and after excelling in his BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport and Football, he earned a City in the Community scholarship for a three-year degree course.?
"The programme is my baseline, where my career started. It's made me what I am today and the future is a lot more positive now.
"It's one of the best things that someone can do."
In 2021, Ella was selected by Dixon Brooklands Academy in Manchester as someone who would benefit from being on the Premier League Inspires programme.
"Since primary school I've been a very anxious person," she says. "I didn't really like speaking to people or putting myself out there.
Through the guidance and direction of Manchester United Foundation ’s Premier League Inspires team, Ella has been supported to develop social, employability and life skills that are not only helping her now but will also provide strong foundations for the future.
"The programme helps you feel comfortable. It's not something we're made to do, it's something that everyone just enjoys."?
"For me, PL Inspires is about being proud of who you are while also knowing that you have a community around you," she says. "You always have people to fall back on.?
"There's something for everyone…That doesn't mean you have to change yourself or be in an uncomfortable situation. It's about realising the talent and strengths that you have."
National reach
Zahra, Tom and Ella are three of the 29,000+ young people?from across?960+?schools and educational facilities?to have received support via Premier League Inspires. More than?￡11.1m?has been invested by the Premier League and Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) ,?via The Premier League Charitable Fund , into the programme, which is delivered by?45 football club charities.
To discover more stories from young people who have benefitted from the programme, please visit Premier League Inspires success stories.