Through UCLan Confucius Institute and in partnership with the Beijing University ten head teachers from Lancashire schools were invited to visit schools in China.
Part of this selected group of Head Teachers was Steve Daley the Principle Leisure manager for Preston City Council. Steve Daley is also the England captain for the England partially sighted futsal team and is also an Academy coach for Preston North End.
Steve was the only individual invited with a Sports and coaching back ground with the other head teachers from either a primary or secondary school within Lancashire.
Throughout the nine day visit to China the group visited five schools in China who are trying to develop and mirror how children learn in England. Steve had the opportunity to coach children in the school and to develop their skills while providing learning opportunities for the PE teachers and coaches.
Steve, who has played for the England team for 20 years and is an England ambassador, in partnership with the PNE community programme raised the profile of Preston North End FC in Beijing and China.
Steve presented all the Children with Preston North End football medals and signed PNE pennants which were all provided via the clubs community department.
Steve was delighted to have been given the opportunity, and said: "This was a fantastic opportunity for me and enabled me to raise the profile of what we are doing in England and also within Preston City.
"I hope we have developed strong links with the schools in China and they will arrange return visits. It would be great to take the Chinese children to a live PNE game but also maybe arrange some local football matches with children from schools in Preston.
"I would Like to thank Andy and his team in the community department for supporting my trip to China and enabling me to give some gifts and presents to the schools in China, this is something they consider to be a great tradition in China."
Head of community at PNE Andy Haythornthwaite was happy to see the PNE extend their international profile through the trip.
"Taking PNE out to the community and especially young children is one of our highest priorities.
"Having us representing in Beijing is certainly one of the furthest away we’ve reached, but its great that the city has built this link and that PNE can be a part of it.
"Steve’s an excellent ambassador for Preston and as well as working at our academy, he has also been a very active participant in our education programme within the club. Teaching our college students Futsal.
"So we were more than happy to help Steve’s ambassadorial trip. We look forward to welcoming the schools he visited here at Deepdale in the near future."
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