Local school representing LFC Foundation in PL Enterprise Challenge

Twenty-nine school groups representing Premier League and Football League clubs have made it through to this year’s play-offs. The business and skills-based challenge is run by the Premier League and Sport Relief, and this year tasked pupils with working on a strategy to help encourage fans to spend more time at stadiums on matchdays.

Six of these groups - one from each play-off - will progress to the final, where they will go head-to-head to pitch their idea to a panel of judges from the world of sport and business.

The play-offs will this year be hosted by Stoke City, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Arsenal, with the latter two clubs each hosting two days of judging.

The winning team from each day will then be invited to present at the final in London on March 9.                                                               

Since its introduction in 2009, 10,000 young people aged between 13 and 17 have taken part in the programme which uses business models of professional football clubs to deliver enterprise education, with another 1,000 set to take part in this year’s competition.

Gemma Smith, Liverpool FC Foundation project lead, said: “The Premier League Enterprise Challenge is a fantastic way of allowing local high school students to learn about the inner workings of a football club. The challenge gives them the opportunity to increase their business knowledge, develop presentation skills and build confidence all at the same time as working hard as a team.”

“Team Eventus from Woodchurch High School in Wirral have worked extremely hard over the past couple of months and seen off lots of great competition. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with them all and let’s hope their winning streak continues as the competition progresses.”

Andrea Cooper, head of the LFC Foundation, added: “The Premier League Enterprise Challenge forms a key part of the LFC Foundation’s educational programmes. This year we have seen 10 teams from five Merseyside schools enter the Liverpool FC club heats and it is fantastic to see how enthusiastic and hard-working the teams have been to date. We are delighted to have Woodchurch High School represent the LFC Foundation at this year’s play-off. We wish them all the best and hope to see them in the final in London.”

Premier League executive chairman, Richard Scudamore, who set this year’s task, said: “I am sure this year’s challenge, our eighth, will produce even better ideas generated by even more enthusiastic and engaged young people. Our successful partnership with Sport Relief, Premier League and Football League clubs, to deliver education with football as the backdrop, continues to bring new and exciting entrepreneurs to the fore. I look forward to seeing the six play-off winning groups at the final in March.”

Comic Relief chief executive officer, Kevin Cahill, added: “We’re very proud to be working alongside the Premier League once again as part of this exciting initiative. The Premier League Enterprise Challenge uses the power of sport, in this case football, to engage and excite young people to learn about business. The skills they learn will be invaluable in later life and ultimately this is what Sport Relief is all about – bringing the entire nation together to help change lives.”

Businessman and Sport Relief supporter Theo Paphitis will be back in the judge's chair for the second final in a row. He commented: "Enterprise is what I do, it's what I believe in. This scheme is excellent. We have got engagement, passion, community, entrepreneurship and youngsters. That's an incredibly powerful cocktail to send messages out to your community.”