On Thursday afternoon, Ollie Banks, Connor Jennings, Liam Ridehalgh and Evan Gumbs visited local school Devonshire Park Primary for the second part of our exclusive experience with Club partner Hi-impact.
Here at Tranmere Rovers we run a two part experience with Hi-impact for their Spotlight School initiative, which sees their consultants deliver sports science workshops to local schools. The pupils involved are also invited along to Prenton Park on a matchday to be flag bearers and then watch the game from the stands. Following up from the matchday experience, first team TRFC players visit the pupils to take part in a lesson put on by Hi-impact.
Last week, a class from Devonshire Park Primary School were invited to our home game against Swindon and on Thursday the players went to meet up with them to answer some questions and take part in their lesson.
The afternoon was kicked off with a Q&A session. The players were asked who their inspiration was growing up and what their favourite moment was playing for Tranmere which to no surprise, Jennings and Ridehalgh answered, winning the play off final and being promoted.
Pupils then put their interview and filming skills to the test by speaking the player individually. Banks described it as a ‘dream to play against one of the Premier League’s best players’ when asked what it was like to play against Harry Kane and Gumbs told the children, Steven Gerrard was his hero growing up.
Banks, Jennings, Ridehalgh and Gumbs went around the class and helped pupils edit the footage that they had taken from the interviewing session and the players even learned a thing or two themselves.
Lorna Giddins, teacher at Devonshire Park, was delighted with the visit from Tranmere Rovers today and said:
“This has been a special occasion at Devonshire Park! We were lucky enough to have four first team players visit school today to support children covering the Civic Award Scheme.
“Players did a Q&A session and helped children complete interviews and make a video. The school dog ‘Dodger’ managed a quick cuddle too!”
Dave Ravenscroft, who delivers the workshops, was delighted with the players’ participation and had this to say about the afternoon:
"It is wonderful that the Tranmere Rovers players can give up their time and visit schools. The children are obviously buzzing to have that close connection with their local club, and love to interview and interact with the players. Additionally the players are able to convey their professionalism and dedication to their career as they paint a picture of their lives as footballers, which can inspire students it reach their goals and achieve their aspirations in the future."
We would like to thank the pupils and staff and Devonshire Park Primary School and Hi-impact for such a welcoming and fun afternoon and we look forward to working on future projects.