Palace Scholars Open New Premier League Kicks Pitch at Oasis Shirley Park School
Three Crystal Palace Under-18 Scholars helped unveil a brand-new Astroturf pitch at Oasis Academy Shirley Park School in Croydon, which will host free weekly Premier League Kicks session every Thursday afternoon.
Crystal Palace Under-18 players Charlie Walker-Smith (centre-back), Jack Mason (goalkeeper), and Chuks Okoli (midfielder), along with Academy Player Care Officer and former Palace Midfielder Alex Wynter, joined pupils at Oasis Academy Shirley Park school in Croydon to celebrate the opening of the pitch, which has been three years in the making.
The state-of-the-art facility will not only improve PE and sports lessons for the school but also serve as the venue for a new Palace for Life Premier League Kicks session. These free sessions, open to boys and girls aged 11–16, will run every Thursday from 4:15 to 5:30pm, giving young people in the local community a new space to play and develop their skills.
Premier League Kicks is a programme – primarily funded by the Premier League – that operates across clubs throughout the football pyramid nationwide. It uses the power of football and other sports to create safer, healthier and more respectful communities by developing young people’s potential. All for free, in the areas across the country that are often the most deprived and in need of safe spaces for young people to express themselves. Premier League Kicks can often be many youngsters’ first introduction into football, and our various teams at Palace for Life work closely together to ensure there is a clear pathway for talented participants.
To find out where and when we run Premier League Kicks sessions in south London, head here.
Speaking at the opening, Oasis Academy Shirley Park’s Headteacher, Saqib Chaudhri, said:
“We’re so proud of what we’ve built here and even prouder of how it’s being used. It’s taken three years of meetings, persistence, and determination to get this done. Now, we finally have a high-quality pitch for the school and the local community.
“Sport is about so much more than just what happens on the pitch. It’s a massive industry with endless opportunities, and we hope this facility inspires you all to dream big, both on and off the field. Of course, the pitch is also where the fun – and the hard work – happens. So, take care of it, use it, and treat it like it’s yours. With this pitch at the heart of our community, we’re showing how much we care, and we hope it helps you all build bright futures.”
The Palace Scholars joined pupils for the launch, leading football drills, competing in some intense 1v1s, and answering questions about life as Academy players at Crystal Palace.
The event also marked another step in the strong relationship between Palace for Life and Oasis Academy Shirley Park, and we’re excited to see it prosper over the coming weeks, months and years.
For more information on our Premier League Kicks sessions, head here.