On Tuesday, Luton Town manager and former England international Jack Wilshere swapped the dugout for the training pitch, surprising young footballers at a local Kellogg’s Football Camp, as families are encouraged to make the most of the final weeks of the summer holidays with FREE camp places still available across the UK.
The current Hatters boss and Premier League legend visited Stopsley Primary School, where he put his managerial skills into practice and led budding footy players in drills, joined small-sided games and delighted attendees with advice from his professional playing and managerial career to inspire the next generation of footballers.
His surprise appearance comes as Kellogg’s Football Camps return for a third consecutive year, helping children stay active, build confidence and develop their football skills during the summer holidays under the guidance of FA-qualified coaches.
Delivered in partnership with the English Football League (EFL), Manchester City FC, Celtic FC and Rangers FC, the programme has returned to 73 clubs across the UK, with more than a total 39,000 FREE places available for children aged 5–15 this summer. The initiative comes as new research reveals that 36% of parents say activities like this are often too expensive, and the single biggest barrier to children getting involved in sport.
Almost all parents (94%) know how important it is for their child to stay active during the summer holidays, with football cited as helping to improve children’s teamwork skills (63%) and confidence (59%). Yet there’s a clear gap between intention and reality, as 47% of parents say their children are less physically active during the holidays, and 68% say they spend more time on screens.*
Jack Wilshere said: “It was brilliant to surprise the kids at the camp today and see how excited they were to get out on the pitch. You could really feel their enthusiasm for the game, and that’s what football is all about; having fun, learning new skills and enjoying playing together.
Hopefully today has inspired a few more young people to keep active this summer. Whether they’re dreaming of becoming professional footballers or just want to get outside and enjoy the game, opportunities like these can make a real difference.”
For families wondering how to get involved, a free football camp place could already be hiding in the kitchen cupboard. Parents simply need to find a promotional pack of Kellogg’s cereal, scan the on-pack QR code and sign up for one of the thousands of FREE places still available at www.kelloggsfc.com. T&Cs apply.
