From Newcastle United to Plymouth Argyle across the UK, from Manchester United down to Leyton Orient in the National League, 68 clubs now run Premier League Kicks sessions.
PL Kicks uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people, and League Two side Colchester United – who launched their own programme last October - held their first festival celebrating their programme.
Clubs from across the south east with PL Kicks projects. Brentford, Charlton Athletic, Dagenham & Redbridge, Fulham, Luton Town, MK Dons, Watford and West Ham United all sent teams to take part at Shrub End.
Watch: action from the tournament
Our first games in the football festival are now underway! #ColU #PLKicks pic.twitter.com/18C6BknzZG
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) August 16, 2017
Colchester’s first-team players Denny Johnstone, Sean Murray and Charley Edge watched the matches and gave advice to the participants, who also met representatives from the Only Cowards Carry Weapons Awareness charity and the Hope Not Hate campaign.
The youngsters were also able to try an Army assault course laid on by the local Parachute Regiment, encouraging teamwork.
Colchester have now regularly engaged with over 100 young people since their PL Kicks programme started 10 months ago.
"The PL Kicks project has been one of our big successes of the past 12 months and it was great to be able to welcome the other teams to Shrub End," Colchester's community development officer, Tom Tayler, said.
“We hope this may be the first of many such events and we look forward to introducing more people from Colchester to the Premier League Kicks project.”
