Foxes Stars Surprise Young Academy Players Over Easter Break
- Ten Leicester City players were on hand to delight young Academy hopefuls in Seagrave
- Under-7s, Under-8s and Under-9s all enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon at LCFC Training Ground
- They were then joined by several of Enzo Maresca’s squad who watched on from the sidelines
- Opportunities for photographs followed which created memories to savour for the youngsters
It was an Easter to remember for members of City’s Under-7s, Under-8s and Under-9s teams, who were joined by stars from Enzo Maresca’s squad for an afternoon of football coaching and games in Seagrave.
A normal session inside the dome turned into a memorable occasion as the likes of Abdul Fatawu, Wilfred Ndidi, James Justin, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wout Faes, Marc Albrighton, Callum Doyle, Danny Ward, Jakub Stolarczyk and Ben Nelson all made an appearance to meet the youngsters.
Talking through his experience, Academy player Theo said: “We’ve had an Easter fun day session all day, playing games and the Leicester players were here. It was very fun and very exciting to see them because I haven’t seen any of them before.”
Watching on from the sidelines, the players then signed footballs and posed for photographs. Pre-Academy Coordinator and Lead Coach, Mark Lyons, believes they will take away a huge amount from such an experience, not just now but also as they move through the age groups.
“Learning from those who are doing it at the highest level is always the biggest incentive,” he commented. “It’s these memories that we’re trying to make.
“The Academy journey is hard, so having these memories along the way, it’s the reason for being part of it - the holistic learning that goes on and all the little bits that these kids get to develop themselves as a person, as opposed to just being a football player.”
Nelson, one of those graduates from LCFC’s Academy who has progressed up the pathway and into the First Team, explained the importance of holding that connection throughout the Club and the inspirational nature of such a meeting.
The 20-year-old defender added: “It means everything for the lads, just to see how they are part of the team and training at the same place. It’s good to show that we’re not that far away. That’s what it’s all about, getting these lads through, developing them with all the brilliant coaching that we’ve got here I’m sure that they do a great job in that.
“It just inspires you to work even harder. Just to be in their position and looking up and seeing the lads that you watch. They’ll go to the game and see them performing and showing that it’s something you can be. It gives them a big thing to look up to.”