Girls get Academy support

Michael Ngoo, Stephen Sama and Danny Ward joined Liverpool FC Ladies skipper Vicky Jones at the weekly coaching session led by the LFC community coaches.

They signed autographs and joined in a kick-about with the girls aged between 10 and 12.

Just two weeks previously, girls from the same school qualified for the final of the Premier League Schools competition, where year eight and nine pupils will be representing LFC at the Emirates Stadium in May.

Liverpool FC Ladies skipper Jones was delighted to see young girls being given the opportunity to train with top-level coaches.

She told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We go to a lot of primary schools and a lot of high schools and it's mostly mixed football, but sometimes it's great to come along and do the girls' football and get them involved so they know what we're about. It's great experience for them as well.

"We coach girls and boys but it's important for the club as a whole to show that we are interested in girls and not just boys because football's a game for everyone and I think we show that by going into different communities.

"There are a lot of girls here today, which there are every week and that's what they're here to do, as an after school club to enjoy football and hopefully improve as well."

Michael Ngoo couldn't wait to get involved with the kick-about and told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's always good when you can put a smile on people's faces.

"They're a great bunch of girls and apparently they're going to the Emirates to play a five-a-side tournament and so it's good to be able to give them the little advice that I know.

"If someone who is a role model comes down and gives you advice then that is a benefit. It's good for us to show our support because that's what Liverpool's about. It's a great supporters' club and so obviously the players have to show the same support to the fans."

Teammate Danny Ward, the 18-year-old stopper who joined from Wrexham in January, said: "These sorts of events seem to be a lot more rife in the modern day, which I think is great for the kids coming through.

"We love football, we want to showcase our sport to everyone in the world and if it starts with little kids then hopefully they'll carry on with the sport after we leave."

Stephen Sama, Liverpool Reserves' powerful full-back, who was born in Cameroon but grew up in Germany, was also happy to see the girls enjoying their football.

He said: "When I see the children come out and play after school, it reminds me of when I was little. I always loved to play football when I had a break from school and when I see the way they are happy and they are laughing, it makes me remember my time.

"I hope some of them can get to where they want to go. For the kids, I think it's very important to see players from Liverpool Football Club come down and this motivates them.

"It's good for them and through this, I hope they will try to work hard and get to where we are."

Here are some more pictures from the event