Everton in the Community marked the launch of the ‘Super Movers for Every Body’ campaign by inviting a member of its multiple-title winning amputee team to Holy Spirit Primary School in Bootle this week.
Forward, Liam Burbridge was invited by the charity’s Primary Stars programme to launch the Premier League initiative which is using the inspiration of top-flight football and talented athletes to engage disabled children and those with special educational needs in sport and physical activity.
Liam received a warm welcome from a Year 3 class who were all eager to find out more about amputee football and Liam’s love of the game, and in-between renditions of Super Movers dancing – children were intrigued to find out more about being inclusive and treating everybody equally.
Fresh from representing England Amputee team in Turkey the weekend before, Liam batted questions on how he lives with his disability day-to-day and engaged in workshops which focused on promoting inclusive positive messages for the children to take on board.
Premier League Primary Stars is delivered in primary schools across Merseyside by Everton in the Community and aims to inspire local young people into sport and find enjoyment in national curriculum subjects.
Everton are one of three professional football clubs in the country with a recognised amputee team, all of whom compete in the IKO EAFA Football League and FA Disability Cup, where Everton are currently holders of both honours.
After taking part in classroom activity, Liam gave pupils a quick taste of his football skills in the sports hall before reflecting on his morning at Holy Spirit:
“I found today really exciting and the children were really engaging; disability awareness is so important.
“Some disabled people feel like they can’t get involved in certain opportunities especially sport, so I think it’s really important for disabled people to be aware of the opportunities out there.
“Amputee football has changed my life and disability sport has the power to do so for others.”
Curriculum Senior Coordinator, Elena Barton added: “Introducing children to positive messages through key role models is a fundamental aspect of our Premier League Primary Stars delivery.
“We’re really grateful to Liam for offering his time and support of the campaign as we, alongside the Premier League look to give teachers and children the confidence, skills and knowledge they need to ensure nobody is left out.”
‘Super Movers for Every Body’ is being launched by BBC Children’s and Education, the Premier League and ParalympicsGB to reach and develop confident young disabled people, and empower allies across primary school.
As part of the campaign equipment packs will be provided to 3,000 primary schools across the UK to empower staff to deliver accessible activities and lessons.
