Parliament Education
Football: Teaching Children the Importance of Democracy
1000’s of children learned about the importance of parliament and democracy thanks to an innovative project run by EFL Trust in partnership with the Parliament Education Service.
Twelve professional Football clubs in Yorkshire used the power of football to go into schools to educate children about the work of Parliament and why this is relevant to them.
The programme targeted both primary and secondary schools and reached over 14,000 children in six months. The Football Club’s Community Trusts visited schools to talk to students about parliament, politics and democracy through the themes of gamesmanship, rule-making and active citizenship.
Mike Evans, Director of Operations at EFL Trust, commented “It’s not immediately obvious why football is teaching children about the democratic process. However, football clubs are based at the heart of their communities and the power of the club badge within that community means children are often prepared to listen when coaches and players visit schools.”
Mike continues, “Especially in an election year it is vitally important that children understand the importance of a democratic process and why it is relevant to them. This is why we are delighted to be working with Parliament Education Service to get this message across.”
The participating clubs were:
- Doncaster Rovers
- Sheffield Wednesday
- Sheffield United
- Barnsley
- Rotherham
- Leeds United
- Bradford City
- Huddersfield Town
- Scunthorpe
- York City
- Grimsby
- Hull City
