Quickline partners with Hull City to run a ‘Day in the Life’ competition open to under 9s, 10s and 11s teams across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where we deliver fast, reliable broadband.
The winners received an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Hull City’s training ground in Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
From more than 650 entries, two teams were selected at random – Filey Holt FC Under 9s, based near Scarborough, in North Yorkshire, and Gilberdyke Phoenix FC, based near Howden, in East Yorkshire.
Around 15 players from both teams, along with their coaches and parents, were taken to the training ground from the MKM Stadium by bus.
After being welcomed by club mascot Roary the Tiger, they undertook a coaching session with Hull City Academy coaches, before playing a game against each other.
They also had lunch in the players’ canteen, served as it would be to the first team, and had a tour of the facilities, including the changing rooms, gym and media room.
The two teams ended the day watching Hull City retain their Championship status in the last game of the season on a big screen, before departing with a Quickline boot bag and water bottle.
Sarah Lilleyman-Hall, Quickline’s Social Values and Events Manager, said: “We worked really closely with Hull City to make sure the winning teams experienced what life is really like as a professional player.
“The children were all so excited, and it was lovely to see. This is why we do what we do – to give opportunities like this to the rural communities we serve. It helps boost the children’s confidence, and also their aspirations for the future.”
Paul Allick, Filey Holt Head Coach, is a Hull City season ticket holder, along with his son Parker. Filey used to play in green but switched to black and amber to replicate the Tigers.
Paul said: “This has been the talk of the town since we were told about it. The children were all so excited. It’s an amazing experience for them, to be taught by professional coaches.
“The children were able to follow the routine of a professional player, literally step by step. They all have aspirations to play professionally, and this shows them that it’s possible.
“I hope Quickline understand what this has done for a small community like Filey – it’s absolutely massive.”
Justine Robert, Head Coach of Gilberdyke Phoenix, said: “From the moment it was announced we’d won, everyone was really, really excited.
“This will invigorate the children and, for those who do want to make it in the game, it will inspire them and make them believe it can happen. It’s not just a dream – it can be a reality for them.
“As such a small community, we’re eternally thankful for this opportunity. I’d like to say a huge experience to Quickline for the experience of a lifetime.”
The ‘Day in the Life’ event was made possible as Quickline partners with Hull City, which aims to deliver benefits to communities across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Hull City Academy Coach Angus Robinson was one of those who put the young footballers through their paces.
He said: “It’s a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for them to come into a professional club and receive coaching with these facilities. It’s something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
Quickline partners with Hull City is part of an extensive social value programme Quickline has committed to as part of its Project Gigabit contracts.
Project Gigabit is a government-funded programme enabling communities that would otherwise miss out on access to gigabit-capable broadband.
Quickline was last year awarded four Project Gigabit contracts to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 170,000 hard-to-reach premises across the whole of Yorkshire and the majority of Lincolnshire.
Other activities delivered as Quickline partners with Hull City have included first team players Matty Jacob and Liam Millar holding a training session for pupils at Eastrington primary school, near Goole, in East Yorkshire.
And fans got the chance to quiz club captain Lewie Coyle and midfielder Matt Crooks at an exclusive ‘Meet the Players’ event hosted by Quickline in South Cave, East Yorkshire.
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