Ade puts school teams through their paces

Emmanuel Adebayor welcomed two talented school teams to the Club's Training Centre in Enfield - helping to put them through their paces as they prepare to represent Spurs in the Premier League Schools Tournament at the Etihad stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation organised the initial stages of the competition to find two teams to represent the Club in the Premier League Schools Tournament.

The two qualifying teams, Capel Manor Primary’s U11s boys team and Fortismere Secondary’s U13s girls team beat fierce competition from 49 schools across Haringey, Enfield and Waltham Forest to secure the chance to experience the thrill of playing at a Premier League ground for the day.

Nearly 400 youngsters competed for the ‘money can’t buy’ prize and the opportunity to don Tottenham Hotspur’s home kit for the tournament taking place at Manchester City’s stadium on Tuesday 20th May.

The two teams worked with Ade and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation coaches during the training session to develop their skills ready for the final stages of the competition. The young players had the chance to put questions to the star striker, before he offered a few words of advice.

Commenting on the importance of delivering opportunities like this to children in the local community, Ade said:  “For them, being here today, it is a big motivation and hopefully they will go to the Etihad and do well there and enjoy it. I have told the kids to make sure they take a picture because this kind of thing, for some of them, only happens once in their life. I’m really happy for the kids.”

Grant Cornwell, Chief Executive Officer at Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said: “We pride ourselves on the coaching programmes we run with local primary and secondary schools, which help boys and girls to develop their footballing skills and techniques.

“The Premier League Schools Tournament gives local children the chance to experience what for many may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, to not only see what it’s like to be a Premier League footballer for the day but also to get to play at a stadium like the Etihad. Something I’m sure they will never forget.”

Created to increase participation in grassroots football, the Premier League Schools Tournament sees each of the 20 Barclays Premier League Clubs stage their own knockout competitions, with more than 800 schools and 6,500 players across England and Wales battling it out for the right to play at the Etihad.

Keep an eye out to find out how our teams get on as we follow them on their journey to the Premier League Schools Tournament next month.