The Freddie Willcocks Charitable Trust donated £5,000. That paid for 18 pairs of Samba goals which are the appropriate size for primary-age schoolchildren and can easily be carried onto and moved around playgrounds or sports fields. The remainder of the money is being used to help children who could not afford to buy football kit.
“The goals are already proving to be really popular with children either for informal kickabouts during break or lunchtime or as part of more formal PE or after-school activities,” said Steve Sharman, Relationship Director at the Guernsey Sports Commission.
Pictured: More children at Vale Primary School are enjoying football in the playground following the arrival of the Samba goals.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of the Freddie Willcocks Trust. Keeping children active and enjoying sport is one of the Sports Commission’s main aims and the donation of these goals really helps us achieve this.
“We can have thousands of experiences for every child. It fits with Freddie’s ideals and the Trust’s purpose and also with the goal of inclusion which runs through our action plan.
“Freddie was a well-known local footballer back in the 1950s and 60s. He was a fantastic character. An Elvis impersonator, a Muratti footballer and an all-round genuine good guy. It’s fitting that his legacy lives on through the donation of these goals.”
Mr Sharman thanked the Guernsey Football Association for securing a good deal on the purchase of the goals.
Pictured: Steve Sharman of the Guernsey Sports Commission said that in many cases the goals are not replacing older equipment but rather providing schoolchildren with high-quality playground goals for the first time.
Andrew Grimwood, the late footballer’s son-in-law, said: “Football was Fred’s thing. He played for the island and trialled with Spurs. And he always tried to help people out who were less fortunate than him because he came from a very poor background.
“So we thought what a great thing to do through the Trust – to put those two things together and support the sport that he loved and provide something for children, including those who are less fortunate.”
The late footballer’s widow, Isabelle, said: “He’d have been absolutely thrilled to see this. He came to this school. I’m sure he’s looking down thrilled by all this.”
Martin Walter, a teacher at Vale Primary School and the School’s football team coach, said: “We’re seeing more children being active in the playground. There is more participation in football in playtime and PE sessions.
“It’s lovely to see so many children participating and enjoying themselves. Traditionally we’ve had more jumpers for goalposts. These new goalposts have been up for a couple of weeks now and they are already getting lots of use.”