West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green was in
attendance yesterday as The Premier League launched its Creating
Chances initiative - a showcase of the huge amount of positive work
that top-flight football does in the community, and for good causes
and charities.
Twenty players from across the League came together to highlight
this work, and show precisely how the Premier League and their
clubs are more committed to this side of the game than ever.
In new research, Deloitte demonstrates the Premier League and its
20 clubs will invest an estimated £122 million next season in
community projects, charities and other good causes, representing
an increase of over 50% since Deloitte's last assessment in
2003.
The core element of Creating Chances is a new initiative called
'Places for Players', which will involve 200 Premier League
players supporting a number of charities and good causes in
September, raising awareness of and funds for the work that these
organisations do. Over 400 good causes will benefit either by
players getting involved in their work or from a £2,000 cash
donation direct from the Premier League.
Another great opportunity for fans, introduced as part of Creating
Chances, is Your Shot. Your Shot will see each Barclays Premier
League club offer one of their most deserving fans the opportunity
to win a unique, once-in-a-lifetime match day experience.
Also, there is Premier League All Stars, a 7-a-side knockout
competition to be played during the Creating Chances week of action
in September. 60 lucky fans will win the opportunity to play with
Premier League legends and celebrities in teams representing all 20
Barclays Premier League clubs. Ravanelli, Merson, Wilkins and
Gullit are back in training and more big names from the worlds of
football and showbiz are to come.
The teams will play in official kits and compete for a
£300,000 prize fund which will be donated to charities of the
clubs' choice.
Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League, said:
"Community engagement is now woven into the fabric of football
and the size and scope of that commitment today really is something
of which the Premier League, our clubs and the players can be
extremely proud.
"Creating Chances is a means of showcasing all of the work
that takes place right across the League on a daily basis and will
help to further strengthen the relationship we have with countless
charities, good causes and our fans."
James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport,
also attended the launch and said: "Football clubs have a
unique position in their communities. They are now helping to raise
standards of education, working with police to cut crime and
anti-social behaviour and also re-investing millions of pounds into
football facilities for the public.
"I am pleased that Government can play a part in Creating Chances, and help highlight this important side to the Premier League's business."
*Look out for more on the part played by Robert Green and West Ham United in the Creating Chances initiative, here on whufc.com soon