Southend United player visits Lancaster School

Southend United first team player Jason Williams made a surprise trip to Lancaster School to give pupils a day in the life insight of what it’s like to be a professional footballer.

Lancaster School is a designated Community Special School for up to 77 students aged 14-19 with a range of complex needs: Severe learning difficulties (SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), neurological impairments, complex physical and medical difficulties, alongside students with moderate learning difficulties who may need additional and emotional support before transferring to local colleges at post 19.

The striker spent the afternoon inspiring the younger generation, answering questions and giving health and fitness advice.

The students were very excited to see him and asked questions such as, ‘What sort of training do you do and do you have to eat healthy?’, ‘What is it like to score goals for the blues?’

Jason answered, ”I have to train hard and I do a lot of running and stretching to keep fit. I also try and keep healthy and watch what I eat but sometimes I slip up!”

IMG_2481

Jason was also there to talk about Southend United’s Future Blues programme, a joint initiative run by the Club and Southend United’s Community and Education Trust, which offers youngsters the chance to be a part of the Club’s future by giving them two free tickets to come and watch live football at Roots Hall Stadium.

Jason had this to say about the program, ”I think it’s a great idea for people that wouldn’t usually come to a Southend game. It will give us a boost, walking out to packed stands. If I was their age and someone came into my school to offer me free tickets to a football match I would jump at this chance!”

Neil Thompson, PE teacher at Lancaster School said, ”It’s great for the students to hear from a professional footballer from a local club like Southend, the coaches, Joss and Joe from Southend United Community and Educational Trust are great with our students and they are really lucky to have this opportunity.

”The fact that Southend can offer 2 free tickets to every student is brilliant and it will be great for them to experience a real football match. You see professional players on TV so for the kids to be lucky enough to have a visit from one is fantastic.”

IMG_2470

To find out more about Southend United Community and Education Trust visit – http://www.sufccommunity.co.uk/index.php

 

#EveryPlayerCounts