Leigh pupils link-up with Manchester United at Bedford High
1:50pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in North West
United mascot Fred the Red was a hit with pupils.
PRIMARY schoolchildren from Leigh received top advice from trainers linked with the world's most famous football club on the playing surface at Bedford High School.
As part of Bedford's ongoing partnership with the Manchester United Foundation, pupils from Leigh CE Juniors, St Gabriel's and Bedford Hall Methodists primary schools enjoyed an afternoon of running, jumping, throwing and catching.
The multi-sports tournament saw teams of children competing against each other in round after round of dodgeball, bench ball, football and team-building activities.
Manchester United Foundation Enterprise Officer Rob Martin, who led the day's events, explained: “As part of our partnership with Bedford we are building strong links with the family of primary schools. The tournament has been designed to get the children moving and motivated in a fun, competitive way.
“The activities encourage them to work as a team to win, exactly like the football team. They also encourage the children to become more confident in their own abilities and to develop leadership skills."
The children also met United's club's mascot Fred The Red who gave the children a bit of extra encouragement to try their best.
Bedford, a specialist business and enterprise college, is one of just eight schools to be part of the Foundation – the charity arm of the Red Devils’ footballing empire.
Bedford's Acting Head Jim Killeen said: “This was a great chance for the children to get involved with a little bit of the Manchester United magic. Many of them came dressed in the club's colours and really got into the spirit of the event."
