Nugent Joins PL Kicks Youngsters For MOTD Special

It was an event attended by BBC Match of the Day as part of a feature for the Sunday morning re-run of City legend Gary Lineker’s iconic football highlights show. 

Leicestershire Police were also on hand to provide some valuable insight into the work they do in the community and provide some guidance on how to stay out of trouble before the youngsters got the chance to perform a stop and search on the officers – and Nuge! 

The PL Kicks project has proven itself to be a huge success since its launch in 2006, with 50 Premier League and Football League clubs involved and built on the success of an event attended by Esteban Cambiasso earlier this year. 

In partnership with the Premier League and Leicestershire Police, the project has engaged with over 300 young people since it began, and the latest event further highlights just some of the good work that has been taking place. 

Not only were the youngsters given some valuable insights by Leicestershire Police, but the PL Kicks coaches, with a little help from Nugent, ran through a number of coaching drills that required both hard work and discipline. 

Nugent said: “I’m happy to be here helping because I know if kids have nothing to focus on it’s easy to end up getting into trouble, which is why I think it’s great that initiatives like this can help to remind them what’s expected of them. 

“If sport can help to give them a focus then that’s great. Growing up it was important for me and when I was younger all I wanted to be was a footballer. 

“It’s important now that if these kids want to be footballers or want to get involved in sport in the future that they have a chance to do that, and projects like this help steer them in that direction.” 

The youngsters also got involved in a number of small-sided games, as well as the dreaded bleep test. The last man standing in that particular discipline was cheered enthusiastically by the crowd and it showed clearly the community cohesion that the PL Kicks project has helped to create. 

Community Director Mick King said: “Leicester City is genuinely committed to making a difference within the community. This initiative integrates young people from targeted areas of the City with a view to reduce youth related crime and provide alternatives for the participants to pursue opportunities which build their self-confidence and prepare them to work towards gaining employment. 

“David’s support at today’s event is richly appreciated as his wholehearted and enthusiastic attitude always serves to inspire young people when he appears at community events.” 

Operating among youngsters who had been previously difficult to reach, the PL Kicks project aims to use football to bring communities together, and steer those young people towards constructive activities. 

It not only helps to open up routes for them into education, training and employment through things such as volunteering within the community, but also to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. 

Leicester City’s Community Trust have been successfully delivering their PL Kicks project since October 2014 in the St Matthews, Highfields and Belgrave areas of Leicester, and will continue to strive towards the overall vision of bringing communities together by engaging with its young people through sport.