West Ham United Women vs Reading

V
FOUNDATION
STUDENTS FROM LEE CHAPEL
PRIMARY SCHOOL INVITED
TO BE MASCOTS FOR WEST
HAM UNITED WOMEN
W
est Ham United Women’s
players Lucy Parker and
Sophie Hillyerd, firstteam
coach Danielle Bowman
and General Manager Aidan
Boxall visited the students at
Lee Chapel Primary School
in Essex earlier this month.
The visit was off the back
of the Lee Chapel students
representing West Ham United
Foundation at a Premier
League Primary Stars (PLPS)
girls’ tournament in October,
where they delivered their own
video rendition of the popular
‘West Ham is massive’ chant.
“It’s incredible to be able to
do this,” said Hillyerd. “When I
was younger, I don’t remember
being visited by any female
athletes, especially with
football, so I think it’s good to
show them that growing up,
they can do whatever they
want to do, whether it be
football, or any other sport.”
Premier League Primary Stars
uses the appeal of the Premier
League and professional football
clubs to inspire children to learn,
be active and develop important
life skills. It aims to inspire
children aged five to eleven in
the classroom, the playground
and on the sports field.
Prior to the players’ visit, the
girls from Lee Chapel Primary
School travelled to Brentford
to compete in the PLPS event.
In a field consisting of ten
other London clubs, the girls
finished the tournament in
an impressive third place. To
celebrate their achievement,
the girls recorded a video
chanting ‘West Ham is massive’
which West Ham United’s
women’s team engaged with.
“There was a great feeling
around the school in the lead
up to the event,” said year four
teacher Adrian Summerfield.
“I was constantly being asked
questions by the children
about the visit which shows
me how excited they were to
meet the players. As the players
entered the school theatre,
it was amazing to see them
bouncing with excitement.”
Parker, Hillyerd, Bowman and
Boxall were keen to get involved
with the group and congratulate
them for their efforts both
on and off the pitch. So, as
part of the surprise the group
joined hundreds of students in
the school assembly hall and
answered questions from the
children about their career
journeys and the challenges
they have faced breaking into
the professional scene.
“It’s all about representation,”
said Parker. “It’s about showing
24 COME ON YOU IRONS