NewsAcademy players learn about the culture and history of Liverpool

‘Our club and its city’ is the name of the education induction programme designed by the Academy education department to teach the group about important aspects of the city.

Through a variety of trips, presentations and visits to the Academy, staff aim to develop the historical, political and social understanding of the city of Liverpool and give the young Reds players a greater insight to the cultural backdrop of Liverpool and how the football club is entwined within the fabric of the city.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s U18s squad comprises a contingent of local players from Liverpool and surrounding areas as well as players from all around the UK and Europe.

Some moved to the Liverpool area for the first time in preparation for this season, and therefore the gaining of local knowledge takes on added importance in order to give the players an understanding of the club they represent.

Caitlin Hawkins, Academy education manager, said: “As an education department it is vital we give our players a foundation of understanding around the culture of the local area and to give them a ‘feel’ for the city.

“As we have learnt during the various presentations and guest speakers, Liverpool is a city that is unique in many ways and we want all our players, not just the Scousers and local players, to embrace this and feel a sense of pride in the club and the city.”

There has been an eclectic mix of activities that the U18s squad have taken part in during the induction period, including:

• A presentation from local author Dan Fieldsend around his book Local: A Club and Its City. This presentation was very informative and gave the players a whistle-stop tour of the history of the city of Liverpool and how Liverpool FC and Scouse fan culture has played a huge part in shaping the city of today.
• The Magical Mystery Tour – This was a truly cultural experience for the players, who came away with a greater insight as to how The Beatles contribute towards the cultural landscape of the city.
• Mersey Ferry – The Mersey Ferry is a staple of the Liverpool tourism scene and an activity that added to the players’ cultural experience within the city.
• Anfield Stadium Tour – This gave the U18s squad an insight into the history of the club they play for and represent every day.
• Liver Bird Experience – This tour of the Liver Building allowed the players to get a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the city from the top of the Royal Liver Building and an insight to the origins of the Liver bird they wear on their kit every time they represent the club.
• International Slavery Museum, Albert Dock – A huge part of Liverpool’s history is ashamedly linked to the transatlantic slave trade. The players visited the International Slavery Museum to learn the details of this and give them an understanding of how the city gained wealth and riches off the back of the abhorrent trade.

Education officer Ted Smith added: “Exposing our players to these experiences is something we feel is an essential part of their development as Liverpool players.

“The enjoyment and engagement we have seen from the players has been brilliant and I am confident all players now have a greater knowledge of the city of Liverpool.”