Former England international Joleon Lescott helped kick off another season of Kellogg’s Football Camps by surprising children at a London camp, officially welcoming the first intake of the summer to Team Kellogg’s.
Inspired by the iconic transfer unveilings seen across the professional game, Joleon Lescott gave the young players their own signing-day moment, inviting them to put pen to paper to join Team Kellogg’s, before posing for the all-important handshake photo and receiving their very own Team Kellogg’s shirt and certificate – recreating the excitement of a professional football signing moment.
With the formalities complete, the former consultant coach for the England Under-21s swapped the signing table for the training pitch, where he thrilled budding young footballers by joining them for drills and challenges.
Drawing on his own journey from grassroots football to a commanding centre-back for Manchester City and earning 26 caps for England, Lescott coached the children through drills and skills from his days as a professional, while sharing advice and encouragement to help them develop their skills, build confidence and make new friends through the game.
The surprise ‘signing ceremony’ comes as new Kellogg’s research reveals that 74% of parents say major sporting events inspire their children to get involved in sport, highlighting the powerful role these moments play in motivating the next generation to lace up their boots and get active.
The research also found that, at a time when families continue to seek affordable ways to keep children busy, 30% of parents say they rely on free activities during the holidays, with holiday camps (25%) and sports clubs (19%) providing vital support.
Now in their third year, Kellogg’s Football Camps are back at 73 clubs across the UK, offering more than 39,000 FREE places for children aged 5–15 in partnership with the English Football League (EFL), Manchester City FC, Celtic FC and Rangers FC.
Led by FA-qualified coaches, the camps give children the chance to get active, develop their football skills, build confidence and train like their sporting heroes throughout the summer holidays.
Joleon Lescott said: “After such a great summer of sport and ahead of the new season it’s brilliant to see so many of the next generation excited to get out on the pitch themselves. Welcoming them to Team Kellogg’s with their own ‘signing ceremony’ was great fun, but the best part was seeing them straight out there enjoying football together.
”Every football journey starts somewhere. Mine began by simply getting out there and playing, so hopefully today has inspired a few more children to put on their boots this summer. Whether they’re dreaming of playing at the highest level or just looking to have fun with their mates and learn new skills, that’s what Kellogg’s Football Camps are all about.”
For families wondering how to get involved, a free football camp place could already be hiding in the kitchen cupboard. Parents simply need to find a promotional pack of Kellogg’s cereal, scan the on-pack QR code and sign up for one of the thousands of FREE places still available at www.kelloggsfc.com. T&Cs apply.
