Broadband provider helps young footballers live their Hull City dreams
DAY IN THE LIFE: Hull City Academy Coach Angus Robinson with players from Filey Holt FC Under 9s and Gilberdyke Phoenix Under 9s
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Children from two grassroots football teams had their dreams realised as they stepped into the boots of Hull City players, thanks to the club’s partnership with rural broadband provider Quickline.
Quickline teamed up with the Tigers to run a ‘Day in the Life’ competition open to under 9s, 10s and 11s teams across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where it delivers fast, reliable broadband.
The winners received an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Hull City’s training ground in Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
From more than 650 entries, two teams were selected at random – Filey Holt FC Under 9s, based near Scarborough, in North Yorkshire, and Gilberdyke Phoenix FC, based near Howden, in East Yorkshire.
Around 15 players from both teams, along with their coaches and parents, were taken to the training ground from the MKM Stadium by bus.
EXPERIENCE: The players practicing their shooting
After being welcomed by club mascot Roary the Tiger, they undertook a coaching session with Hull City Academy coaches, before playing a game against each other.
They also had lunch in the players’ canteen, served as it would be to the first team, and had a tour of the facilities, including the changing rooms, gym and media room.
The two teams ended the day watching Hull City retain their Championship status in the last game of the season on a big screen, before departing with a Quickline boot bag and water bottle.
Sarah Lilleyman-Hall, Quickline’s social values and events manager, said: “We worked really closely with Hull City to make sure the winning teams experienced what life is really like as a professional player.
“The children were all so excited, and it was lovely to see. This is why we do what we do – to give opportunities like this to the rural communities we serve. It helps boost the children’s confidence, and also their aspirations for the future.”
SPECIAL DAY: Children from Filey Holt FC Under 9s and Gilberdyke Phoenix Under 9s showing off their skills
Paul Allick, Filey Holt head coach, is a Hull City season ticket holder, along with his son Parker. Filey used to play in green but switched to black and amber to replicate the Tigers.
Paul said: “This has been the talk of the town since we were told about it. The children were all so excited. It’s an amazing experience for them, to be taught by professional coaches.
“The children were able to follow the routine of a professional player, literally step by step. They all have aspirations to play professionally, and this shows them that it’s possible.
“I hope Quickline understand what this has done for a small community like Filey – it’s absolutely massive.”
Justin Robert, head coach of Gilberdyke Phoenix, said: “From the moment it was announced we’d won, everyone was really, really excited.
THANKFUL: Roary the Tiger welcoming the players to Hull City's training ground
“This will invigorate the children and, for those who do want to make it in the game, it will inspire them and make them believe it can happen. It’s not just a dream – it can be a reality for them.
“As such a small community, we’re eternally thankful for this opportunity. I’d like to say a huge experience to Quickline for the experience of a lifetime.”
The ‘Day in the Life’ event was made possible by Quickline’s partnership with Hull City, which aims to deliver benefits to communities across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Hull City Academy coach Angus Robinson was one of those who put the young footballers through their paces.
He said: “It’s a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for them to come into a professional club and receive coaching with these facilities. It’s something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
TRAINING: The children took part in a number of drills
The partnership with Hull City is part of an extensive social value programme Quickline has committed to as part of its Project Gigabit contracts.
Project Gigabit is a government-funded programme enabling communities that would otherwise miss out on access to gigabit-capable broadband.
Quickline was last year awarded four Project Gigabit contracts to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 170,000 hard-to-reach premises across the whole of Yorkshire and the majority of Lincolnshire.
Other activities delivered under Quickline’s partnership with Hull City have included first team players Matty Jacob and Liam Millar holding a training session for pupils at Eastrington primary school, near Goole, in East Yorkshire.
And fans got the chance to quiz club captain Lewie Coyle and midfielder Matt Crooks at an exclusive ‘Meet the Players’ event hosted by Quickline in South Cave, East Yorkshire.