Success in numbers: 2016-19

Since 2016, 77 Premier League coaches and 11 referees provided world-class, face-to-face training to 2,603 aspiring Premier Skills coaches and referees in South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, China, India and Nigeria. Achievements were also felt in the UK, with 94% of Premier League coaches reporting increased development of their own coaching skills and 100% claiming an increase in cultural awareness from delivering training overseas.

Premier Skills coaches and referees put their new skills into practice by returning to local communities to run training sessions. Alongside continued training in legacy countries, this resulted in 13,798 newly qualified coaches and referees. Central to Premier Skills objectives, 90% of all coaches and referees reported an increased understanding of how football can be used for community development, with 92% noting increased confidence to plan and deliver a community football or refereeing activity.

290,079 young people participated in community football activities delivered by Premier Skills coaches, with 95% reporting increased opportunities to play football. Showcasing the power of football as a force for good – 92% of participants reported increased self-esteem and life skills.

As ever, empowering the most vulnerable in communities and tackling wider social challenges is key to Premier Skills. Between 2016-2019 34% of trained coaches and referees were female, 83% of all coaches reported an increased commitment to the inclusion of women and girls in football and 95% of coaches and referees cited increased understanding of how to deliver inclusive football sessions. Premier Skills’ inclusive approach meant that 41% of all young people taking part in activity between 2016-2019 were female.

As we wrap up Premier Skills 2016-2019, we look forward to working with thousands more aspiring coaches, referees and young people in Premier Skills 2019-2022. Keep your eyes peeled for updates!