THE primary school football team that was joint winner of the Leicestershire Rice Bowl trophy this year is giving its backing to Leicester’s bid to be a World Cup host city.

 

Kibworth Primary drew 2:2 with Greenfield Primary in an exciting final at the Walkers Stadium in May – and, as the two teams couldn’t be separated, they’re sharing the trophy.

 

The team from Kibworth were lucky enough to be invited to meet Gary Lineker at the official launch of Leicester’s World Cup bid – and they were enthusiastic about Leicester’s chances of success.

 

Eleven year-old Ryan Russell said: “I’m really excited at the thought of the World Cup coming to Leicester – everyone needs to work hard to make sure it can happen.”

 

Team mate James Stapleford,11, added: “I think it would be brilliant to have people from other countries experiencing Leicester and England.  It’s a great stadium and it would be good for lots of other people to be able to enjoy it too.”

 

Kibworth Primary is coached by a team from First For Sport – a Leicestershire-based sports coaching company.  Head coach Adam Wileman said: “Anything that gets kids interested in taking part in sport is to be welcomed. It would be brilliant if the legacy of the World Cup in Leicester could be a generation of young people who discover – and enjoy – the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.”

The team from Kibworth Primary now joins the growing list of Leicester fans who are backing the city’s bid. Footballing legends Gary Lineker, Steve Walsh, Muzzy Izzet, Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton have all backed the bid, as well as snooker star Willie Thorne, actor Philip Olivier and quintuple Olympic gold medallist rower, Sir Steve Redgrave.

 

Voting for England’s preferred host cities has been under way since June 15^th – and the Leicester bid team has been encouraging people to log on and give the city their support via a new campaign website: www.backleicestersbid.com

 

The site contains lots of information about Leicester’s bid and provides a direct link to the official England 2018 Bid website, making it easy for people to cast their vote for Leicester.