Team Mates participant chosen as Premier League mascot

A pupil from Kenley Primary School was selected to lead out the Crystal Palace FC and Fulham FC squads prior to Palaces’ recent 2-0 win over the Cottagers.

10 year-old Oliver was chosen as a referee’s mascot in a package provided by the Premier League and EA Sports because of his hard work and effort in Team Mates Sessions, but in particular because he consistently displays the Premier League value of ‘Be Fair’.  Sessions delivered through the Premier League Primary Stars programmes, like Team Mates, encourage students to live up to and display the following values of; be ambitious, be inspiring, be connected and be fair.

The project lead of the Team Mates programme, Chase Hill said: “Oliver has been an absolute pleasure to work with, he’s a mature young man who is extremely thoughtful and considerate to others. This was the perfect occasion to provide him with an unforgettable experience and the opportunity to meet some of his heroes!”

We spoke to Oliver after the game who said: “I wondered who the referee would be and couldn’t believe it was Michael Oliver! Everyone was really kind and I even met Batshuayi!”

“As I walked out of the tunnel it was so loud and as I stepped on the pitch it didn’t seem real it was like fantasy”

The innovative Team Mates programme is backed by the Premier League and runs in primary schools across south London, offering children a safe place to share their concerns and build up their self-confidence.

Team Mates has now supported 104 pupils in 13 different schools, but we have a waiting list of even more wanting to join. To help us reach even more young south Londoners, like Oliver, please visit www.palaceforlife.org/get-involved/donate/