Chiltern Academy, a school catering for Year 9 students and above with education, health and care plans, recently hosted Luton Town’s new manager Jack Wilshere. Club legend Mick Harford accompanied him to help instill confidence in the players on their school day visit. The campaign was included in the English Football League’s Week of Action. It was supposed to inspire students who were on the verge of dropping out of their education.
On a recent fall afternoon, Wilshere and Harford stopped in on a PE class. They took the time to personally interact with each of the pupils, especially during a heated and energetic question and answer session. This interaction aimed to bolster the students’ self-belief and personal development, aligning with the school’s program that emphasizes one-to-one mentoring.
Luton Town FC Community Trust took the lead on the campaign. Through this partnership, they emphasized the ways that sports can help young people realize their full potential. Daniel Douglas, head of the Community Trust, noted, “It’s all about working with young people who are disengaged in school, providing mentoring opportunities and positive routes through education.”
Students participated in a phenomenal football clinic conducted by Harford. That vibrant culture of success propelled them to seek out opportunities beyond the school day. This enrichment provided students with the opportunity to partake in physical activity, while inspiring them to think about higher education and future careers.
We went to the event and Zachary, one of the students who had gone, said it really changed his life. He stated, “It motivates us to be better and shows us a pathway to where we want to be. It meant a lot because those are the people I look up to.” Another student named Levito expressed his passion for football, stating “Football is like fun for me. Every time I play, I forget everything on earth—getting to meet the team manager was super motivating.
Wilshere emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, “If there’s anything we can do to give a little bit of belief to people, then of course we will.” The visit absolutely mesmerized the students and inspired such a phenomenal atmosphere of learning and discovery for all. It brought home to everyone the amazing impact that sports figures can have on young people’s lives.
Cal Naismith, another representative from Luton Town FC, remarked on the benefits of physical activity in educational settings: “This gives them a chance to blow off steam and hopefully be more focused when they go back into the classroom.”
