Newham pupils spend day training at West Ham United

Ricardo Vaz Te talks to Brampton Primary School pupils in West Ham's classrooms. (Image: Copyright Griffiths Photographers All usage in accordance with Data Co License Terms and Conditions -NO FREE USE-)

Over 80 young people from throughout Newham were part of an opening training session with Hammers manager Sam Allardyce and a selection of first team players including Olympic gold medal-winning rower Mark Hunter.

Students from Brampton Primary School, in Brampton Road, East Ham, also took part in a number of educational activities at the Boleyn Stadium’s classrooms where they talked through their work with Hammers winger Ricardo Vaz Te.

The open day was organised to be a celebration of the club’s work in the community through their Community Sports Trust.

The group of youngsters who got to train with coaches on the pitch were part of the West Ham United Kickz project which aims to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds realise their full potential.

The project dished also out two awards on Tuesday April 2 at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.

One to Volunteer of the Year, Philip Brown, 17, who has developed both his football ability and commitment considerably since his involvement in the programme and he undertakes tasks to assist coaches or lend a hand at events.

The other award for Inspiring Young Person of the Year went to Jeremiah Kamanzi who attended the project since the age of 13, and he has progressed to a young volunteer role, helping coaches with the planning of sessions and also taking warm-ups and cool downs after training.

The club’s Kickz co-ordinator George Chukwuma said: “I’m really proud to see our two participants receive awards today. They’ve both worked hard over the last year and I hope they continue to make progress with us in the future.”