Sports Features

Leicester City is 'Playing for Success'

The government-funded 'Playing For Success' scheme was launched in 1997 with the aim to raise the standards of young peoples' literacy, IT and numeracy skills through fun and football-related activities.

Such activities range from programming Lego robotics, creating stop-frame animations, writing and filming short plays and even the interviewing of Leicester City Academy players.

Boosting self-confidence and self-esteem

The scheme, based at the specially built centre in the heart of the Walkers Stadium, invites up to eight primary and secondary schools per term, with around 15 children aged between 9-13 years old per session.

As centre co-ordinator, Karla Capstick explains, "the aim of the centre is to boost the students' self-confidence and self-esteem and general willingness to 'have a go', which can be used back in school to aid their learning."

This aim has certainly been fulfilled for one pupil at the centre, from St Joseph's Primary School, who enthused that, "on returning to school I've been moving up ability groups", and another pupil commented on the rapid development of his IT skills, which are certainly needed in today's technological society.

Rewarding and valuable

The centre is currently supported by a group of 17 volunteer mentors, who are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, including local businesses and the two local universities.

Support is further provided by one full-time member of staff, Dirk Smith, a former primary school teacher and avid Leicester City fan.

As a former volunteer myself, I found working at the centre thoroughly rewarding. I was thrilled at the remarkable development of the students in the short space of nine weeks that they spend at the centre.

The success of the scheme has also enabled centres to be set up at the Leicester Tigers and Leicestershire County Cricket Club, providing valuable educational support to countless school children across the city.