Albert Dock Liverpool is to open an artificial football pitch this summer, giving visitors to the iconic attraction the opportunity to brush up on their football technique in a series of free, fun, inclusive, football coaching sessions.
From July 24 – August 11 the North West’s most visited free tourist attraction will host Summer Football on the Dock, involving coaches from Everton in the Community and the LFC Foundation demonstrating the tricks of the sport at Mermaid Courtyard (next to Tate Liverpool).
Boys and girls of all ages and abilities are invited to drop by and join in on the action – with no pre-booking required.
Clare Rawlinson, marketing manager, Albert Dock Liverpool, said: “The summer is about being outdoors, enjoying the great weather and being active, and we know our pitch and free coaching programme will be a hit with our visitors – whether a football fan or not, and whatever team they support!
“It is brilliant to partner up with EitC and the LFC Foundation, and support their great work within the local community encouraging health, well-being and sport development. Here’s to an action-packed few weeks of skills and drills on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront.”
Alongside basic skills and drills, EitC will also provide sessions involving its disability team who will display their football technique in a series of demos, as well as the chance to experience what it is like to play football without your sight – testing your senses and skills to the maximum! There will also be the chance to learn from the Everton Ladies and the Ladies’ coaching staff who will be holding regular sessions to inspire and engage girls with a passion for the beautiful game. And making football accessible for everyone, come and try out the sport’s newest craze – walking football!
Join the LFC Foundation for bite-size sessions of speed, agility and quickness (SAQ) drills, and basic dribbling techniques.
Executive director, Everton in the Community, Phil Duffy, said: “We are thrilled to be taking the great work of Everton in the Community down to Albert Dock for the summer. I would urge people to come down to Mermaid Courtyard to meet and learn from EitC’s award winning football coaches and hear more about the life changing work of the charity and how we impact people’s lives across Merseyside. There will be giveaways, music, Q&As, and meet and greets with Everton legends during the final week. I’m sure there will be a real carnival feel about the place.”
Andrea Cooper, head of LFC Foundation, said: “We are really looking forward to heading to Albert Dock this summer. We run a number of programmes throughout Merseyside so it will be fantastic to bring our free football coaching sessions into the city centre for visitors to get involved in, too. It will also give people the opportunity to see a snapshot of our programmes and hear more about the work we do across the city and beyond as part of our mission to create life changing opportunities for children and young people.”
EitC will be taking over the weekday fixtures, while the LFC Foundation will lead the weekend games – kick-off is at 10am, and final whistle at 3pm daily. Sessions last 20 minutes.
For details about the full programme, and all other upcoming events at Albert Dock, please visit the Albert Dock website. Join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – @thealbertdock #AlbertDock #SummerDock17