PURR-FECT PLAYERS ARE ON TARGET

Pupils from Park View School have won the chance to represent Sunderland AFC at this year’s Premier League Enterprise Challenge Club Heat. The challenge saw Year 9 students tasked by Premier League Chief Executive in developing a business plan and promotional campaign to increase the number of 18-23-year olds who follow the club and attend matches. Team ‘Purr-fect Players’ from Park View impressed the panel of judges including Sunderland AFC Managing Director Tony Davison, Corporate Communications Manager Sophie Ashcroft and Foundation of Light Head of Operations Michael Colclough with their well-thought out concept of engaging young adults into the Stadium of Light.

I have been very impressed with all the groups and their ideas today.  It’s great to see the passion the younger generation have for the Club and hear their ideas for getting more 18-23-year olds into the stadium. I would like to congratulate everyone for presenting and wish the winners, ‘Purr-fect Players’ the best of luck for the semi-finals. Sunderland AFC Managing Director Tony Davison

Their idea was reflective of the current market incorporating video games and met the requirements of the brief, all whilst having a confident and smooth presentation. After announcing the winning team, Foundation of Light Education and Skills Lead Jas Singh said: “Every team has put so much work into their presentations and should be proud of what they’ve achieved. I know the judges took their time and went through each idea with a fine-tooth comb; it really was a difficult decision. I would like to say a massive well done to everyone who took part.” Sunderland AFC players, Duncan Watmore and Alim Ozturk also supported the initiative taking part in a Q&A with all the groups before presenting a signed football to the winning group. Watmore and Ozturk answered various questions and offered advice on how to deal with pressure, how to overcome barriers, and knowing what you do now what advice would you give your younger self. The Premier League Enterprise Challenge is the national competition element of the Premier League’s enterprise programme, which began in 2009 and is run in partnership with Sport Relief. More than 30 Premier League and English Football League clubs have entered this year’s Challenge with regional finals taking place at Huddersfield Town AFC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and the national finals taking place in London on Monday 18^th March.