Newcastle United Foundation’s Under 9’s Girls Development Squad had a surprise visitor at training earlier today when Ayoze Perez popped in to watch their session.
Ayoze joined in with the training, taking part in drills and skills sessions, as well as giving them some top tips and sharing some of his favourite moments on the pitch.
The Under 9’s train weekly at the First Team’s Training Ground and is the youngest group of players that make up the Girls Foundation Development Squad, which also has teams in the under 11, 13, 15 and 17 age categories.
The members of the squads were successful at trials held earlier in the year and attend weekly training sessions, in addition to playing for their local community club, which enhances their skills development as well as placing them on the Foundation player pathway.
The Foundation’s Women and Girls Football programme is led by the former captain of Newcastle United Women’s FC, Lisa Bell, who is hugely passionate about creating opportunities and pathways for local girls to play and coach.
The Foundation delivers an extensive school coaching programme for girls every day of the week as well as the Player Development Centre, with 81 girls attending, and Advanced Coaching Centre, which works with 57 girls.
Ayoze Perez, said: “It was great to see the girls playing football so passionately and taking in all the advice the coaches were giving them. I really enjoyed seeing them show off their skills and wish all them lots of luck for the rest of the season playing with their clubs.”
Lisa Bell, Women and Girls Football Lead, added: “All of the girls are huge Newcastle United fans so it was amazing to see their faces when Ayoze walked in today. It was fantastic of him to get involved with the session – it is something the girls will remember forever.”