Hull City academy players inspiring schoolchildren

Hull City apprentices Ed Devine and Archie Howard with Priory Primary School pupils

Hull City academy players are helping inspire schoolchildren.

The young footballers have been working with primary school pupils at the MKM Stadium to raise levels of literacy and numeracy.

It is part of an educational programme by Run With It.

Lisa Dawson, director of the charity, said the initiative also helps build self-confidence and self-esteem.

The players help with the programme alongside their football training and own studies.

Tigers’ first-year scholar Joe Batty was among the players who spent time with the children.

'Really good for us'

He said: “When I was at school it was really exciting when you had players coming in to learn from, and you can ask lots of questions.

“I think it is really good for us to come in and help these kids.”

Run With It takes children out of the classroom and into different settings, such as a footballing environment.

Ms Dawson added: “We do lots of different activities; we measure the pitch, they might write a matchday report, design a product for the Hull City shop or write a piece of persuasive writing.

“It’s all practical ways of embedding the national curriculum in that local environment that’s inspiring and motivating and it’s different to being sat at the same desk in the classroom every day.”

Hull City apprentices Stan Ashbee and Joe Batty with Eastfield Primary School pupils

Dean Jennings, head of education at Hull City's academy, said the programme also helps with the development of the players.

He said: “If we can create good people, we will create great footballers.

“People might think that all our scholars do is play football every day, but that’s just not the case. They are also studying for their BTEC and their Sporting Excellence Professional (SEP) qualifications in addition to their training.”

Run With It has two education centres in Hull, at MKM stadium and Sewell Group Craven Park. Another two are at Bridlington Town Football Club and Flemingate shopping centre in Beverley.

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