We are thrilled to announce that the team representing Blackpool FC Community Trust have been crowned Premier League Enterprise Challenge Champions 2014/15 for their ticket initiative to attract more families to football,.
At the Westminster Conference Centre on Monday, Blackpool saw off teams from six other Premier League and Football League group finalists, to be crowned 2014/15 Champions.
The Premier League Enterprise Challenge has seen 26 Premier League and Football League Clubs take part this year, tasked with developing ideas to increase family attendance on a match day.
More than 3,000 13 to 17 year-olds have taken part in this year’s programme, which sees professional football clubs discuss their own business models and deliver enterprise-based educational workshops, aimed at inspiring participants and widening their skill set.
The group, from Blackpool FC Community Trust’s BTEC Group, consisting of Nathan Kirk, Elliott Knight, Dylan Nagliati and Jordan Huddart, wowed the judging panel consisting of Football Analyst and former Premier League and England defender Graeme Le Saux, Comic Relief Ambassador Theo Paphitis, and Premier League Planning and Projects Director Peta Bistany.
“The judges were impressed by Blackpool’s idea of The Seasiders’ Ticket” Paphitis said, “which links the club and match day tickets with the town’s leisure attractions, such as the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Tower and the Sea Life Centre.
“We went for Blackpool because it was an incredible idea,” Paphitis continued. “It answered the question. It used the unique opportunities within the Blackpool area and it was practical. It was also adoptable by the club, they could put it in tomorrow and the business case was compelling.”
Ashley Hackett, Head of Blackpool FC Community Trust, said “The lads were beating themselves up after the questions and weren’t sure if they had answered them well enough.
“When they read out that Blackpool FC Community Trust had won, we were shocked. The lads presented fantastically and you could see what it meant to them with their reactions. They have done a great thing and I am really proud of them.
“This type of stuff sets you up for life. If you can come and do a presentation in front of hundreds of people, on a national scale, how easy is it going to be to do an interview in front of two or three when you are going for a job?
“For these young people at 16, 17, to go and do that, and do it as well as they have, is amazing, and that’s not just Blackpool, that’s all of the teams.”
The winning pupils from the BTEC Group will now have the opportunity to visit the Premier League offices in Central London to present their ideas to Chief Executive Richard Scudamore, as well as enjoying hospitality at one of their Club’s matches and a tour of the House of Commons.
Congratulations to the lads on their great achievement.
