Two Blackburn Rovers players joined children in a day of summer holiday sporting fun – and they might have spotted some Rovers players of the future.
Sam Barnes and Zac Gilnesan visited to Our Lady Saint John Catholic College in Blackburn, where children were taking part in a Blackburn Rovers Community Trust’s football and sports camps over the summer.
At Our Lady, activities take place both in the sports halls and on the Astroturf pitches playing a variety of sports to keep active during the school holidays.
Centre-back Sam and midfielder Zac watched on as the older group participated in what turned out to be a competitive football match, before watching another group take part in a game of dodgeball.
Following a busy, sport-filled day for the youngsters, they all came together to take part in a question and answer session with the duo, where the players revealed some details about their pathway into football, took questions about what they get up to away from the pitch, and also passed on some crucial advice for how the participants could improve both at sport and at school.
The pair then stayed to sign autographs and have pictures taken in what was a great experience had by all.
Chris McGrail, football development manager at Blackburn Rover Community Trust, said: “Today we have had some really special guests from the first team at Blackburn Rovers.
“We deliver a variety of sports from football, cricket and dodgeball, in order to keep the kids engaged."
Sam said: “We have enjoyed coming down today to see the kids training.
“They have finished with school now so I think they are all excited and full of energy.
“It was good to come down and watch them having fun over the summer holidays."
The pair were also asked if they spotted any future Rovers players in the group.
He said: “There were a few decent players in there.
"There was a lad in red boots that definitely caught our eye. We would definitely give him ‘the player of training’."
Zac said events like this can open doors into a future career in football.
He said: “I went to loads of events like this when I was younger in Australia and Spain.
“I ended up getting scouted at one in Australia and that is how I ended up moving to Europe.
“I have a lot of fond memories for [events like this]".
Blackburn Rovers Community Trust will be running football and sports camps throughout the summer holidays.
At the camps children aged between five and 12 take part in six weeks of summer sports fun.
At the camps children can have fun, make friends, and improve their skills with FA-qualified coaches.
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