Newcastle United Foundation honour Premier League Community Captain Sarah Burn
Sarah Burn has been named Newcastle United Foundation’s Community Captain in honour of her contribution to Premier League Kicks and the programme’s impact across the North East.
Clubs across the country are naming Community Captains as part of the More Than a Game campaign. The initiative uses two weeks of the Premier League calendar to celebrate inspiring individuals, while highlighting the positive impact of investment into communities through football. This includes the non-league system, grassroots facilities and the women’s game.
Sarah Burn, Premier League Kicks Coordinator at Newcastle United Foundation, was presented the accolade by Magpies legend and Newcastle United Foundation Trustee Shola Ameobi in front of more than 1,000 supporters during the Magpies Unplugged fan event hosted at St. James’ STACK earlier this week.
Sarah’s story is a powerful example of how a connection with the Premier League Kicks programme can last a lifetime. More than a decade after stepping onto the pitch as a young participant, she now leads Premier League Kicks sessions for more than 2,000 children and teenagers from Gateshead to Berwick.
“Premier League Kicks has been a huge part of my life for more than ten years now,” Sarah said. “I’ve always played football and Premier League Kicks sessions were my opportunity to do that while I was growing up.
“The sessions had a huge, positive impact on me and gave me role models to look up to. I really wouldn’t be where I am today without Premier League Kicks.”
Sarah has taken every opportunity, progressing from volunteer to a UEFA B level coach. Now, as Premier League Kicks Coordinator at Newcastle United Foundation and Middlesbrough FC Women midfielder, she oversees the sessions that shaped her own journey.
She added: “I’ve met some incredible people through Premier League Kicks and can see the positive role sessions play in young people’s lives.
“Premier League Kicks has given me so many amazing opportunities and it’s been a huge surprise to be given the Premier League Community Captain award.
“It’s a privilege to work with my team to deliver the programme that helped me so much and to now give those same opportunities to the next generation.”
The award comes as the Premier League celebrates the 20th anniversary of Premier League Kicks. The initiative currently sees 93 professional clubs delivering free weekly football and personal development sessions in some of the most under-served communities.
Key stats include:
- More than 600,000 young people have participated at over 5,000 venues across England and Wales, since the programme launched.
- An independent evaluation of Premier League Kicks found that 93% of alumni believe the programme helped them get into less trouble and avoid negative influence.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “It is thanks to the incredible football we see week in, week out in the Premier League that we are able to invest so widely in all areas of the game.
“This funding has been a priority for us for many years and, through ‘More Than A Game’, we showcase the significant impact this has had on both people and places.
“Premier League Kicks is our longest-standing community programme, and it has made a real difference to young people across the country. For 20 years it has helped change lives and we remain committed to supporting communities connected to clubs throughout the football pyramid.
“We are also proud to have delivered long-term investment into grassroots and non-league football through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund. This has benefited clubs throughout the non-league system and women’s game, as well as more than 125,000 grassroots teams up and down the country.”
More Than A Game campaign branding will be visible across all Premier League matches between 14 – 22 March, including the Tyne-Wear Derby at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
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