By Premier League Primary Stars · Mon 02 December 2024
On Wednesday 4 December, join Kenzie Benali with authors Dan Freedman and Emma Juhasz as they help pupils to explore careers in football.
On Wednesday 4 December, author Dan Freedman offers pupils the chance to explore how they can have a career in football with the help of an inspirational free Virtual Club Author Day, hosted by the Premier League and the National Literacy Trust.
Part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme, the online workshop features TV presenter Kenzie Benali, Emma Juhasz (author of What Football Job Can You Do?) and Dan Freedman (co-author of 50 Ways Into Football and author of the Jamie Johnson series).
You can register by visiting the National Literacy Trust website.
The interactive event involves workshops, challenges, videos and gives pupils the opportunity to ask questions and find out how literacy could help them find their dream job. You can explore the Premier League Primary Stars resources for this event here: Goal Getters: Discover Your Dream Football Job.
What is going to happen on the day?
When asked about what the workshop will offer to pupils, Dan said, "Hopefully it will be an inspiration for pupils to think, discuss and get excited about all the potential ways in which they could have a job which involves football.
"The idea is to make it a lively workshop, talking about the books that we've written on the subject, giving the kids a chance to have a little go at identifying which jobs would appeal to them and maybe see if they have the skills to make that part of their future.
"It's putting the pieces together about the opportunities that exist for the children, whether it's being a club psychologist, presenter, stadium announcer or working on the medical side.”
Where did the idea for Dan’s book, 50 Ways Into Football, come from?
"I tend to write books that I needed when I was younger. I distinctly remember being 10/11 years old absolutely loving football but knowing that I wasn't going to be good enough to be on the pitch. This book didn't exist for me so this was for the younger version of ourselves out there.
"We spoke to a video game designer, a football freestyler, a doctor, a translator, a bodyguard, a referee, a commentator, a groundskeeper, a pilot... we just wanted to say, 'however your mind works, if you love football there is this opportunity for you’.”
Why does Dan want to be a part of these events?
"Every visit to a school, every session I do with Premier League Primary Stars, is so rewarding and so fulfilling. I'm speaking to the people who I feel I connect with, that I have so much in common with. It's amazing how football brings people together.
"The ripple effects of what Premier League Primary Stars does could really be positive for a person, a family, a community and then a country as a whole. To be a small part of it is an absolute privilege."
How does Dan feel when he takes part in Premier League Primary Stars?
"It's quite mind blowing, it's an honour, an opportunity and a responsibility.
"If football and Premier League Primary Stars is giving you the opportunity to have a really important conversation with a young mind that is open and engaged, you have to grasp it.”
What impact does Premier League Primary Stars have on young people and teachers?
"Premier League Primary Stars is doing something that no other organisation could do in terms of capability and scale but also something that is so needed. I know how much teachers, schools, families and communities appreciate it.
"It's absolutely remarkable and the more we can tell people about it, the better for everyone because it just means we get to do more of it in the future, which will be to everyone's benefit. It's mind blowing the importance and the effect of these sessions.”