Footballer to help kids get their kicks outdoor
Hull City captain Lewie Coyle is encouraging children to play with a smile [Jasmine Lowe/BBC News] The captain of a Premier League team has launched a street football programme to encourage more children to enjoy outdoor play.
Key points
- The 31-year-old said: "I believe being allowed to lark (play) about outside gave me a head start in pursuing what my career has turned out to be as a professional footballer." Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, is backing Coyle's call: "Playing outside develops confidence, creativity, resilience and independence.
- As it says on the tin, we're just going to have a kickabout on the streets." Scunthorpe-born Dame Rachel de Souza is backing Lewie Coyle's call for more outdoor play [PA Media] Coyle's message has been backed by de Souza, who said it echoed new research from her office that showed "boys and girls want to play outside".
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Through the Lewie Coyle Football Academy, the defender is launching LCFA Street Football and has vowed to visit estates across the city and hold free pop-up events to encourage outdoor play among children.
Additional details
- "We all need to champion play and remember that childhood can't be, and shouldn't be, completely risk-free." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.
- We need kids to be kids and play on the street, but of course, in a safe environment.
- Hull City defender Lewie Coyle said his career began by kicking a ball in an alleyway near the East Hull home where he grew up and he has called for more children to follow in his footsteps.
- It's good for physical and mental health." Coyle led his hometown club to victory in the Championship play-off final in May, securing the Tigers' promotion to the Premier League.
- She said: "I've spoken to children across the nation through my Big Future survey and, from Land's End to Hadrian's Wall, I hear the same message: boys and girls want to play.
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