Following the successful launch of our involvement in the programme in 2018, this year we teamed up the Premier League to launch the Ultimate PE Lesson Competition, asking pupils to come up with a lesson that they thought other kids would love. Three winners were selected and had the opportunity to recreate their lesson, alongside Liverpool FC and England star, Joe Gomez, using our motion capture technology. The teaching packs are available to download on the Premier League Primary Stars website and we caught up with Joe Gomez, to discuss the importance of PE in schools…
How important do you think it is that kids keep fit and exercise on a regular basis?
I think it’s really important. Not just for the health benefits but just for having fun. Psychologically it’s important that they get a chance to express themselves and sometimes PE is the best way to do that.
Definitely for me, I found my talents in PE and it gave me a chance to have fun and enjoy time with my friends so it is definitely important.
How regularly did you train when growing up to give you the best chance to make it as a professional footballer?
I think it gradually increased. In Primary School it was a couple of nights a week and after that it’s more about you taking your own ownership and if you enjoy it then you can go and play with your friends in the park and that sort of thing.
Then it grows more and in secondary school you might miss a day of school to do day release and that’s when the commitment properly starts.
I think at the start it’s just about having fun and you will find that whatever you enjoy, you will spend most of your time doing.
Did you have to be dedicated and make sacrifices?
Yes I would say so. I knew that I couldn’t let my school affect my football by behaving badly and getting detention and all that sort of thing, so I made sure my homework was done.
Obviously at that age your parents emphasise that it’s important that you do well in school, otherwise they might take away your hobby. So I was dedicated in that sense.
Do you remember learning the PE basics such as catching and throwing at school like you demonstrated today?
Yea definitely, I remember learning the basics in the different sports. I suppose we practised netball-based skills today but I also enjoyed rounders and having fun in PE and those basic skills came along with that. They are definitely life skills that you keep to this day.
How important do you find these basic skills to be in your everyday life as a professional footballer?
It gives you the foundations that you need to have basic coordination and that sort of thing but just having the confidence in yourself from that age that you can do certain skills is the main thing that helps you when you get older.
Was PE your favourite subject at school?
Yea PE was my favourite subject in school. I wasn’t bad in school but I wasn’t the smartest so I think it was the time that I could just enjoy myself and purely have fun and I think that fun and enjoyment is the main thing in school.
Other than football, what was your favourite sport growing up?
Probably athletics. I loved sports day and all the races so athletics and running were my other favourite sports.
The Premier League Primary Stars Programme is all about teamwork. How important is the bond between yourself and the other Liverpool players to ensure that the team performs well?
That’s a crucial element I think. Football is not an individual sport and if there is no chemistry within the team, regardless of what talent you have, then you are not really going to succeed. I think that shows within the team, where you have got a good bond you will all play for each other, play for the manager and play for the supporters.
I think it’s important that you are all one and not just within the team but within the community and the supporters as well.
The Primary Stars Programme is all about inspiring kids to get fit and active. Do you enjoy the responsibility of being a role model to kids up and down the country?
I think sometimes as players it’s something that we subconsciously forget but it is a big responsibility and it’s important that we live our lives the right way. Not only for performance but to be role models.
I think it’s important that we do our best to lead an example for the younger generation.
What advice would you give to any youngster who has aspirations to become a professional sportsperson?
For any kids that want to achieve a dream I think you have just got to ask yourself, is it something you enjoy? Because I think that is the fundamental aspect. If you don’t enjoy it, then you are not going to put that extra effort in to be the best that you can.
Once you answer those questions within yourself then just put your all in to it. You are going to have to do the extra work but you have just got to enjoy the journey and embrace it.