University joins forces with Premier League giants

08 May 2013

The University has teamed up with Manchester City Football Club to launch a new Learning Through Football programme.

Student volunteers from the University’s Manchester Leadership Programme (MLP) joined coaches from City in the Community for a Skills and Enterprise Day at the Etihad Stadium, as the two organisations embarked on a new partnership.

The students helped to teach literacy and numeracy to pupils from the School of the Resurrection in Beswick, East Manchester, using the home of last year's Premier League champions as a giant classroom!

Lindsay Gilbert, Head of Volunteering and Community Engagement at the University, said: “Our MLP students learn about key contemporary issues, contribute to community projects and meet high-profile leaders from different sectors. MLP is an exciting programme that helps students to develop leadership skills and a greater awareness of social, economic and environmental sustainability. 

"We are delighted to be able to announce this new partnership with Manchester City - their health, coaching and education programmes touch the lives of more than 200,000 people a year, whilst their community work is recognised as world-leading."

Debbie Glynn, Skills and Enterprise Manager at Manchester City, said: "Since the Club began in 1880, and City in the Community's subsequent foundation in 1986, the Club has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of some of the most deserving causes both in Manchester and across the globe.

"We see first-hand every day the unique power that football has to inspire young people, and want to use that special connection to get children excited about learning."