Sarah's story: Premier League Kicks turned my passion into a career

Hundreds of young people from across England and Wales are this week gathering at St. George’s Park National Football Centre for the latest edition of the Premier League Kicks Cup.

As well as providing a memorable occasion of competitive football, music and workshops, the two-day event will celebrate the work that Premier League Kicks carries out in high-need communities up and down the country all year round.

And ahead of another special event, we meet some of the half a million participants that have been helped by the programme since it began in 2006.

One of those people is Sarah Burn from the Newcastle United Foundation, who is leading both mixed and girls' teams at St. George's Park this week.

For many young people, their relationship with the Premier League Kicks programme lasts a lifetime.

When Sarah first joined Premier League Kicks as a 15-year-old, little did she know that the programme would still be playing a major part in her life 14 years later.

The sessions not only gave Sarah positive activities when she was younger, they provided her with opportunities to explore a career in football.

She has grabbed those opportunities with both hands. Not only is she a UEFA B level coach, she is now running the programme in her role as Premier League Kicks co-ordinator with the Newcastle United Foundation. This is Sarah's story.

"I heard about Kicks through a friend. I popped along to a session and from that moment I loved it. It was a completely new environment.

"I absolutely loved football and I had people standing in front of me wearing a Newcastle badge. It kept me returning week after week.

"I was playing against people that I didn't know but they then became my friends. I still speak to them today.

"My character definitely changed. I had a few behavioural challenges when I was younger but I had a really good mentor at the Foundation, who was present throughout.

"She saw something in me that I wasn't aware I had. They're the reason I am where I am today.

"They kept supporting me through everything, in my football and in my personal circumstances, so probably the one that took an interest in me and realised that I’ve got more than just football.

"Having that role model and someone to inspire me was amazing. I couldn't be of prouder of where I am and I'm also happy I have been lucky enough to have that support. I definitely needed it.

"My mentor is a very special person and funnily enough, that same person that's known me since I was young is my line manager now. I still look up to her now and she's still amazing.

"When I got too old to be a participant and I couldn't play anymore I was asked about whether I wanted to try volunteering and speaking with some of the younger kids. I haven't stepped away.

"I never thought this was something I would get into. I've always thought was going to be a vet. I've fallen into it, it's my career and it's my passion now and I can't think of being involved in anything else.

"The relationship that people have with their coaches from Premier League Kicks and all the other programmes the clubs run is the reason that they go so far.

"These stories are everywhere. We have someone who joined Premier League Kicks as an 11-year-old and six years later she is becoming a sessional coach. She now knows what she wants to do with her life.

"To see that person follow in my footsteps is really emotional. You build that rapport and relationship with someone and then one day they turn around and say that they want to be the next you.

"She now works alongside me, delivering to our younger girls group. She used to be one of them so they all look up to her massively and it's brought a big confidence boost to her. She has come on loads.

"I still don't believe the journey I've been on. People say I've got a good story but it doesn't really hit home until I see young people developing into coaches or when you travel to events like the Premier League Kicks Cup or Disability Festival and you see the impact it has on participants.

"Some of our participants have never been on a bus or been to a service station, which you think is such a small thing. That is Kicks, it broadens horizons.

"For me, Kicks is a programme that is crucial in a community. It's the most important engagement session I believe that can help build and develop somebody's potential within just a matter of weeks.

"Kicks is really important to me. It does make me quite emotional talking about it, because I've had such a long experience with it and I know the impact the programme can have. If somebody engages with you and if you can engage with someone, where they can go is endless."

Premier League Kicks, funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund, uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales.

More than half a million people have benefited to date.

More than a game

The "More than a game" campaign showcases the support the Premier League provides for communities and the wider game.

The Premier League has provided world-leading levels of investment into communities and football at all levels in England and Wales, with a £1.6billion contribution over three years, equating to 16 per cent of the League's total revenue.