School children took part in a Blackburn Rovers Academy competition and talent scouts were on the lookout for future football stars.
Earlier this month, the Rovers Academy welcomed more than 100 students to take part in this year’s gifted and talented competition.
The afternoon saw 23 schools take part in the tournament, with key stage two pupils selected by teachers, with teams travelling from across the county.
Scouts, coaches and scholars were in attendance to pass on advice and scout any potential players for a trial.
Members of Blackburn Rovers’ under 18s squad, including Ben Thirkill and Brandon Powell, were also in attendance.
They are given a team and helped coach them throughout the games which gave the children the opportunity to find out what life is like in the academy.
The teams were spread out over four groups, with the side finishing top progressing to the semi-finals, with Shadsworth Juniors triumphing over St Barnabas Darwen in the final.
Ben Howard, community trust deputy head of the primary education team, said: “The event was a great success, and I am pleased to say that a number of children that participated will be invited for a trial which will be held early next year.
“In addition to this we will be looking forward to hosting our pre-academy event later in the year.”
Chris Brankin, community trust sport and education development practitioner said: ‘It was great to see more than 100 children from across the north west given the opportunity to play at the academy where there was some fantastic football on display.”
Chris Pettigrew, academy player care and safeguarding officer, said: “It was really pleasing to see 100 primary school children play on the academy pitches.
"It is important we do this to show that the academy has a link to the community and hopefully the experience might entice a few young fans to the club.
“As an academy, the tournament also allowed to us to see the talent of the region and there was some brilliant play on show.
“The coaching from the under 18s squad and teachers was a brilliant learning experience for the players and they interacted with the children amazingly well, both scholars and players looked like they enjoyed each other’s company and the competition.
“Well done to all schools that took and thank you to the trust for another chance to link up for the good of the club.”
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