Young people representing Derby County Community Trust will take part in the Under-16 mixed and Under-16 girls’ Premier League Kicks Cup regional qualifiers.

Nine regional tournaments are being staged at community facilities across the country, with hundreds of young people representing Premier League, EFL and National League clubs, hoping to win the opportunity to represent their club in the Premier League Kicks Cup 2025 finals at St George’s Park in July.

Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are the current Premier League Kicks Cup champions, having won the Under-16 mixed and Under-16 girls’ tournaments respectively in 2024.

The Premier League Kicks Cup tournament is one of the competition elements of Premier League Kicks. The programme uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas of England and Wales.

Premier League Charitable Fund Chief Executive, Ruth Shaw OBE, said: “Premier League Kicks gives young people the opportunity to access free football in their local community.

“Over 1,400 young people from 93 professional football club community organisations will take part in the regional tournaments, where they will enjoy competitive football and make friends along the way. They will also have the chance to engage in activities that will help them develop on and off the pitch.”

Derby County Community Trust will join 7 Under-16 mixed and girls’ teams at the East Midlands League Kicks regional tournament hosted by Nottingham Forest Community Trust.  

Derby County Community Trust Premier League Kicks Lead, Jacob Straw, said: 

"We're excited to be taking two teams to represent Derby County Community Trust at the Premier League Kicks Cup regional qualifiers. Having hosted the qualifiers last year, we are looking forward to visiting Nottingham Forest Community Trust in what will be a brilliant experience for the groups."

In addition to providing young people with access to free football and sports activities, professional football club community organisations (CCOs) also provide additional year-round support through Premier League Kicks. 

This includes offering mentoring, life-skills advice and access to opportunities such as volunteering and social action to help aid personal development. 

Premier League Kicks began in 2006. Since then, more than 550,000 young people have participated in Premier League Kicks football and multi-sport sessions delivered by 93 Premier League, English Football League and National League sides. More than one million hours of sessions have been delivered across England and Wales. 

To date, the Premier League has invested more than £91.7 million in Premier League Kicks through the Premier League Charitable Fund.

Visit premierleague.com for more information.