Prince William to visit Blackburn

6:01pm Wednesday 30th April 2008

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By Sally Henfield »

PRINCE William is to visit Blackburn next week, it has been announced.

The Prince is coming to town to check on pupils' soccer skills in his role as president of the Football Association.

St Aidan's Primary School, Mill Hill, Blackburn, is involved in the Football Association's Skills Programme and has been selected to welcome the Prince.

The Prince, second in line to the throne, will make the visit next Friday, at an undisclosed time.

He will meet with pupils, teachers and coaches who have been involved in the scheme. Laura Pooles, associate headteacher of the Norfolk Street school, said: "We are really proud that we have been selected for this prestigious visit and the children are all very excited.

"I think one of the reasons we have been selected to meet the Prince is because sport is so important to us as a school and we grab opportunities like getting involved in the Skills Programme whenever we can."

The FA Skills Programme was introduced in March last year to provide five to 11-year-olds with a skill set to develop their game, foster lifelong healthy, active lifestyles and to improve the long-term performance of the national game.

Some 66 coaches, including former premier league and professional male and female players, have been giving tuition to two million children across the country.

Mrs Poole said: "We last had the coaches visit in March. They take the boys and girls through a range of activities, which they love. It has been an excellent experience for us all, made even better by this visit."

Prince William is a keen sportsman, playing rugby, polo, football, hockey and water polo.

He showed his own footballing skills on a trip to Charlton Athletic FC where he trained with the team as part of a community programme.

Prince William is currently focusing on his military career and is a Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals). He has just returned from a trip to Afghanistan where he met the troops.