Premier League Enterprise Challenge winners crowned
Tuesday 28 April 2015 15:13, UK
Blackpool FC Community Trust's BTEC group have been crowned winners of the 2014/15 Premier League Enterprise Challenge.
Blackpool saw off six other group finalists representing West Ham, Crystal Palace, West Brom, Fulham, Wigan and Derby to win the sixth edition of the challenge.
They delivered their wining pitch, which consisted of all-in-one ticket including food and entertainment options, to a panel of judges featuring Graeme Le Saux and Comic Relief Ambassador Theo Paphitis at Westminster Conference Centre.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Le Saux said: "It's important for young people to feel they have an opportunity to connect with their local football club.
"The benefit and luxury we have in football is that we are connected with our community so engaging and investing time effort and money through the Premier League is a real privilege."
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "It was a number of years ago when we started this challenge and we thought we could use the power of football to get young people engaged in all sorts of things.
"Therefore, why not get them involved in enterprise, business, business-planning, presenting and confidence-building. So it’s really grown from there."
The Premier League Enterprise Challenge has seen 26 Premier League and Football League clubs take part this year, tasked with developing ideas which will increase family attendance on a matchday.
More than 3,000 13-to-17-year-olds competed in the challenge across the country which has seen professional football clubs deliver enterprise-based educational workshops, aimed at inspiring participants and widening their skills set.
