‘Healthy. Safe. Brilliant!’ | Children and parents share their verdict on Foundation’s summer holiday activities

The school summer holidays are a notoriously difficult period to keep children entertained, but Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has provided “healthy, safe and brilliant provision”.

That was the verdict of one parent at a football session for girls yesterday, with the Foundation continuing to provide free activities for local youngsters into the final week of the holidays, as part of its Summer of Spurs.

It has been an action-packed last month, with multi-sports camps, a summer league, two stagings of the Spurred 2 Coach course and various special events – including a tournament in memory of Godwin Lawson from Enfield and a Huddle Project Festival – taking place daily.

There have been special guest appearances from former Spurs Women captain Jenna Schillaci, Pape Matar Sarr and new signing Clare Hunt.

Among grateful parents has been Vikki Palmer, from Redbridge, who has had two children taking part in the Foundation’s activities, Gracie, 11, who attended yesterday’s session, and Millie, five.

Vikki said: “They’ve both really enjoyed it. If Gracie wasn’t here, I’d be working, so she’d probably be sat on her tablet scrolling through social media and watching TV. Instead, she’s able to be out in the fresh air, exercising and making new friends.”

Sarah, 13, from Haringey, brought along a friend yesterday, having enjoyed previous Summer of Spurs events.

She said: “I’ve been able to attend without having to pay, whereas other clubs you might have to, and I’ve appreciated them a lot. I’ve learnt new football skills and I’ve gained confidence. I used to stay by myself, but now I like being with people and talking to them, not worrying about whether they’re going to judge me. Overall, the sessions have got me out of the house and I’ve experienced all these nice opportunities – it’s made me feel ‘Wow’.”

Alice, 12, also from Haringey, took part for the first time yesterday and “thought the coaches were really good”.

Her mum, Hannah Liptrot, said registering Alice was “really easy” and she was “so glad” to have done so.

“Alice plays at a football school, but it’s the off-season now, so she’s been really missing it and is delighted to have found this. You’re wondering what to do in the last week of summer, everyone’s getting a bit restless, so to have this healthy, safe, brilliant provision, something Alice really loves, is fantastic. We live on an estate, with about 30 metres of dirt and a goal. She goes out there, goes round her cones and practices her shooting, so this is amazing for her – luxurious! Alice would definitely come every day if she could, so I’ll be looking out for more sessions.”

Yesterday’s event at New River Sport and Fitness in Haringey was part of an ever-increasing offering from the Foundation for women and girls, with it acting as an opportunity for coaches to see girls in action before the formation of a girls’ player development centre (PDC) this season.

PDCs are designed to offer additional training for ‘advanced’ players associated with a local grassroots football club.

The Foundation will run sessions for age groups ranging from U10s to U16s and girls who are not affiliated to a grassroots club will also be welcomed.

This will add to opportunities for women and girls to play football and get active through the Foundation’s Weetabix Wildcats, Next Generation, Premier League Kicks, Huddle Project, Just Play, walking football and Shape Up with Spurs programmes, as well as through sessions delivered in schools.