Sunderland AFC players head back to school

Sunderland AFC defenders Bryan Oviedo and Donald Love visited pupils from St. Matthews Primary School who were taking part in a Tesco Bank Junior Players coaching session led by Foundation of Light. The players joined in with the activity much to the delight of the budding young footballers. Tesco Bank Junior Players is a flagship community coaching programme jointly led by the Foundation of Light, the Newcastle United Foundation and the Newcastle Eagles Community Foundation and gives school children in the region the opportunity to get fit and active by taking part in physical activity and receiving expert tuition from highly qualified coaches. This unique programme is first time the three Foundations have collaborated on such a project.

I really enjoyed coming along to St Matthews this afternoon to see the pupils take part in this programme. I think it’s great that this project is encouraging so many young people to get involved in sport across the North East. Everyone looked like they were having fun which will only encourage them to continue taking part in physical activity, so well done to the Foundation of Light, Tesco Bank and the other partners.

Bryan Oviedo, Sunderland AFC

Gillian Fairweather, Tesco Bank Community Investment Manager, said: "Having a footballing professional here today really helps encourage the children to continue playing sport, have fun and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. "It was wonderful to see the delight and excitement on their faces as one of their sporting idols joined in on their session and I am pleased we were able to provide them with this memorable experience."