- Owls midfielder Giles Coke joined Meadowhall shoppers for a kick-about
- The Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme host soccer sessions at the shopping centre
- Aspiring footballers learn skills and techniques from Giles Coke
Mini Meadowhall shoppers and aspiring young footballers enjoyed a huge surprise earlier this week as Sheffield Wednesday star Giles Coke turned up for a kick-about as part of the shopping centre’s free summer activities for South Yorkshire’s kids.
The soccer sessions, ran in partnership with SWFC’s Community Programme, have been a popular pick for parents needing to do a little bit of shopping but hoping to also entertain the children.
Following customer feedback, Meadowhall, one of the largest Shopping Centres in the country, have provided free summer activities for children across the region to give the kids the opportunity to get active before the return to school in September.
Meadowhall Events Manager Alex Caley said: “We love to hear from our customers and from speaking to parents who come into the centre, we know one of the biggest challenges during the summer holidays is keeping the kids entertained without spending a fortune.
“With such a fantastic summer of sport and the news that the Special Olympics is set to be hosted in the city in 2017, we thought this initiative would end the school holidays on a high. It has given children from Yorkshire and even further afield an opportunity to get active and enjoy an additional event to what has been a fantastic summer of sport.”
Among the budding footballers were Danny, aged 10, and Sam, aged 6, from Woodseats Primary School. Mum, Cazz Wainwright said: “We’ve had a great day today at Meadowhall, we’ve been able to shop, the boys can play football and we’re soon heading to the cinema – it’s been great to enjoy a family day out at such little cost, whilst keeping the kids entertained.
Owls Midfielder Giles Coke said: “I love coming down to events like these where the kids can come and get involved, improve their football skills and have a bit of fun.
“Players really enjoy getting involved in with the work of the SWFC Community Programme and attending events across the city where we get the opportunity to meet fans of all ages.”
Coach Alex Bastock, aged 20, added: “It’s great that businesses like Meadowhall support local communities and provide the facilities for us to put on such fantastic and interactive events for the kids. We’ve had a great few days; it’s been brilliant fun and a bit of exercise for the kids.”