Former England footballer Jamie Redknapp ‘inspired’ students when he visited a Brixton secondary school to open their new games area and even got involved in a ‘header challenge’ with the kids.
On Thursday, March 16, Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool, Tottenham and England footballer Jamie Redknapp visited Trinity Academy in Brixton to unveil their brand new multi-use games area (MUGA).
The new Astro-turf surface means a range of sports can be played to a high standard in all weathers. The school’s football and netball teams say they are looking forward to training and competing against other schools on their new pitch.
A spokesperson from Trinity Academy said: “He shared his enthusiasm and expertise with Trinity students doing training drills and afterwards in a wide-ranging question-and-answer session covering sport in schools, becoming a professional footballer and very topically on broadcasting ethics.”
Principal Antony Faccinello, said, “Jamie has played at the highest level and his ability to relate this to wider education inspired our students to practise, play and work hard to achieve their goals.”
“Although [Jamie] doesn’t have a direct connection with Trinity, he accepted our invitation to open the MUGA as he knows that we have some boys who are playing at football academies in London.
“He said it’s great for Trinity pupils to have this brilliant facility for all the different sports,” adding, “he even got involved in a header challenge with the kids.”
Head of PE, Joel Palmer, said, “With so much school sport suspended during the pandemic, it is great to have a first-class facility available to our students and community. We have already seen a big increase in the number of students attending extra-curricular clubs. Jamie Redknapp’s visit has been a day to remember.”