Downing helps Kickz celebrate

The trio attended a special event at Stockbridge Village Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday night where they were treated to a dance presentation from Viva Kickz before getting involved in a football training session.

Using football as a tool to promote social inclusion and engage youngsters, Kickz programmes take place weekly in Anfield, Stockbridge Village and Norris Green for children aged 12-18.

On Merseyside, the Premier League-run programme is unique as it sees the LFC Foundation work alongside Everton in the Community and Merseyside Police.

And on Tuesday it was all about recognising the fantastic work undertaken by both clubs to deliver the popular scheme. 

"It's been a good experience for me," Downing told Liverpoolfc.com. "The dancing was very good and the kids put on a great show. 

"And then it's always nice to come and watch football. I've really enjoyed it and hopefully we've managed to put a smile on the kids' faces.

"They have been great tonight and they've all been very nice and positive. I expected a bit of stick from the Evertonians but I didn't get any and so I've really enjoyed it. 

"I know the club is hugely involved and that they send a lot of players out into the community and I'm sure Everton are the same. 

"It gives the children a boost and as you can see tonight, they have enjoyed us coming down and there has been a tremendous turn-out, so it's been good all-round."

Sama told Liverpoolfc.com how he hoped that visits like Tuesday night's might help inspire the children and he spoke of his delight at watching the boys and girls enjoying learning through sport.

"When I was told yesterday that I was coming here to see the boys and girls, I felt really honoured," he said. "I wish I could dance like some of the kids here today but I can't. 

"If I would have joined them, I think everyone would have probably left the room! 

"When I was little and professional players came to visit us, I was really happy because when I looked at them, I really wanted to be like them one day.

"So I've enjoyed tonight. I would like to come back again if possible and I hope all the boys and girls here get all that they want in the future."

Kickz began as a pilot project in London between the Premier League and the Metropolitan Police in 2006, with the aim of using football to bring communities together and engage with young people.

The vision was to build safer, stronger and more respectful communities through the development of young peoples' potential and help youngsters who had previously proven difficult to reach by guiding them towards a range of healthy and constructive activities. 

"Kickz brings these kids together, makes them a bit safer and gives them access to quality coaching," explained Inspector Colin Lewis of Merseyside Police.

"It also gives us an opportunity to have a platform to speak to them about safety and about responsibility among other things.

"The footballers are great when they come down to show their support. We always say that there are lots of stars in a football club, like the Liverpool community department and the LFC Foundation. Every Liverpool supporter should be extremely proud of them too.

"It's been five years now and they are still coming along, so we're doing something right."

The growth of Kickz has been phenomenal. Today 42 Premier League and Football League clubs run a combined 112 projects across England reaching out to around 45,000 kids in their local each year. 

"It's a great privilege to be involved in Kickz," said Forbes Duff, Liverpool's Kickz officer. "Over the past five years, this programme has been hugely successful and it's grown bigger and bigger. 

"Everything is free with Kickz and it means that the young people can come down and play in a great venue, sometimes meet their heroes and get them off the streets and involved in sport." 

To learn more about Liverpool's work in the community, click here>>