Communities

Premier League Kicks at 15: Harvey's story

21 Feb 2022
PLKicks-15-Editorial-HARVEY-WALDRON

How an inspirational Man City coach has become a role model for other young people with disabilities

Related Articles
Premier League Kicks celebrates 15 years of changing lives

Harvey Waldron has always loved football, but, born deaf, he found it difficult as a youngster to play in a mainstream setting.

"When I was growing up, there were not many deaf coaches or specialised coaches that can sign," he explains.

But, in 2015, Harvey joined a hearing-impaired football programme in Manchester run by City in the Community (CitC) that has transformed his life and helped him to change the lives of others in the area.

Within two years of joining the programme run by Manchester City's charitable foundation, Harvey had become a volunteer, helping to deliver soccer schools as well as disability and girls' sessions in the city.

"I was determined to become a coach to make sure the deaf participants that come to the sessions see that I'm the coach to impact their lives, so they think they can do anything they want to," he says.

Harvey gained his FA Level 2 coaching qualification and helped to develop City's deaf teams. 

And since 2018, he has been working as a Premier League Kicks coach, inspiring young people who are in the same position as him and showing them that they too can overcome barriers to achieve their potential.

Harvey Waldron, Man City, Premier League Kicks v2
Harvey Waldron is only 23 but has delivered more than 1,000 sessions with City in the Community

"Harvey's an incredible young man and it's amazing to see him leading the sessions," says CitC head of community Mike Geary. "We've really benefited from his experience and listening to him and his opinion from being a participant to understand what our next generation of participants might want or might benefit from."

And as part of the 15-year anniversary celebrations of Premier League Kicks, Harvey has been recognised for his dedication and commitment to the local community by being named Man City's "Premier League Kicks Local Legend".

"It makes a massive difference to peoples' lives," Harvey says. "I feel very proud of my journey from being a volunteer to where I am now, being a part of the amazing Premier League Kicks."

Click here for more PL Kicks at 15 case studies

Latest Videos

More Videos

Video is currently not available.

15 Nov 2024

The BEST SAVES of the season so far

Watch our collection of the most stunning stops of 2024/25, featuring Andre Onana, Jordan Pickford and more

Your details have been submitted successfully.

You have already entered this competition. Please check your email for further information.

Your details have been submitted successfully.

Create a Premier League account

Continue

You are logged in as

Enter your details