Huddersfield Town First Team players Jonathan Hogg and Tom Lees visit Town Foundation
- Town’s Foundation host the local stage of the Utilita EFL Kids Cup
- Captain Jonathan Hogg and Tom Lees visit participants
- Reinwood Juniors will represent Town in the regional stage
Town captain Jonathan Hogg and defender Tom Lees visited primary schools that took part in the Utilita EFL Kids Cup last week, which was hosted by the Huddersfield Town Foundation.
The competition helped to inspire children to be active, healthy, and develop a strong sense of teamwork, whilst keeping that competitive nature, as schools look to progress to the regional stages of the tournament. Dalton School, St John's Ce (Va) J & I School, Moldgreen Community Primary School, St Thomas Primary School, and two teams (orange and blue) from Reinwood Junior School all took part in the afternoon.
After some great football on display shown by all teams, Reinwood Juniors ‘Orange’ came out on top with a win in the final against St John’s School, meaning that they finished the whole tournament, consisting of group fixtures first and then a knockout, by going unbeaten without conceding a single goal – even during their penalty shootout success in the semi-finals!
Reinwood Juniors will now progress into the regional stage of the competition, where other Northern Championship Clubs from around Yorkshire will compete for a chance to qualify for a chance to play before the Sky Bet EFL Play-Off Final in May. Handing them their medals, certificates, and winners’ pennant were Town stars Hogg and Lees, who enjoyed watching the football that was on show.
The pair both took time out to speak to each team, giving useful and inspiring advice to the sides that were upset to have exited the competition. Both Hogg and Lees also stayed to take photographs with the young people, whilst also signing autographs, shirts, and even kids’ boots.
Huddersfield Town Club Captain Jonathan Hogg commented:
“It was fantastic to see all of the young kids enjoying themselves and playing in a great tournament put on by the Foundation, which is a fantastic cause for the Club, the surrounding areas, and local schools.
“It was enjoyable to come down, hand out some medals, and see loads of kids inspired from what we had to see.”
Huddersfield Town defender Tom Lees added:
“They are watching football all the time in the ground and on TV, so it’s nice to come down and give something back to these young kids who support us, and it was nice to see them loving their football.
“It’s good to relate with them and try and give them some advice. There have been a few penalty shootouts and a few disappointed players that missed, but they don’t have to worry about that, they just need to keep enjoying themselves and keep working on their game and hopefully, when they next come down, they can score that next one.”
