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Liverpool hosts 2015 Premier League Kicks Cup

A team representing Newcastle enjoyed success at a previous Premier League Kicks Cup
Image: A Newcastle girls team celebrates success at the 10th Premier League Kicks Cup

The Premier League Kicks Cup was held in Liverpool on Thursday to mark the opening of Merseyside Youth Association's new playing fields.

A total of 600 participants representing 47 Premier League and Football League clubs took part in the 10th annual tournament in the city's Fazakerley area.

The Premier League Kicks initiative, run in conjunction with Sport England, is designed to give disadvantaged young people a positive stimulus and has helped more than 71,000 in the last eight years.

Wilfried Zaha and Raheem Sterling are examples of Premier League Kicks participants who have gone on to make careers in the game.

Simon Morgan, the Premier League's head of community development, said: "For some of the young people today it's the first time they've been out of their own town or city.

"It's given them a chance to interact with their Kicks colleagues and take part in a national compeitition. It really is great for their self-confidence and motivation."

The choice of venue was also significant: the Premier League and Football Association's Facilities Fund provided almost £650,000 towards the £750,000 required to redevelop the playing fields following a 2012 arson attack that destroyed the pavilion and its changing rooms.

Hit the video link below for further details about this year's Premier League Kicks Cup.

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Vinny O'Connor visits the 10th annual Premier League Kicks Cup, joint funded by Sport England and the Premier League to bring communities together.

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