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Saints Legends vs Russell Martin XI: Project Focus

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This Sunday, a team of legends from Southampton’s past will return to the St Mary’s pitch to take on a team of players from Russell Martins career.

The game is being played in support of Saints Foundation, the Russell Martin Foundation, and Sophie’s Appeal as the chosen charity of the Ex Saints Association. As part of the day, Saints Foundation will be spotlighting our Education and Pathways projects.

We support Southampton's education by working in schools to improve attitudes towards education, raising aspirations of young people, and support them better engage through three projects:

Community Champions – We place Saints Foundation staff in secondary schools across Southampton full time, helping pupils who struggle in a traditional classroom setting reach their full potential.

Watch Saints Legend player Theo Walcott visit one of our schools.

Premier League Inspires – With aims of developing their personal skills and aspirations of pupils, Premier League Inspires work in alternative provision schools including our city’s Pupil Referral Units and Special Educational Needs schools.

Read Evan’s story here.

Premier League Primary Stars – Providing targeted support in primary schools to inspire children to learn, be active, and develop important life skills. Through the delivery of targeted interventions and upskilling teachers within PE.

Read Jenna’s story here.

Our Pathways projects help people find a positive place in their community, equipping them with the tools they need to carve out opportunities for future:

Premier League Kicks – Using football as a hook to connect with 8 to 18 years olds, we give young people a safe place of an evening to socialise with friends and make new connection with the aims of tackling anti-social behaviour, as well as helping to unlock opportunities for their future.

Read Fozzy’s story here.

Saints Switching Play – Working with young people referred from Southampton City Council’s Youth Offending Service, Switching Play uses targeted interventions to prevent and challenge offending behaviours.

Watch Phoebe’s story here.

Saints Restart – Working with offenders who are due to be released from HMP Winchester, and helping them resettle into community life in Southampton through 1-to-1 mentoring, physical activity and group workshops.

Read Harry’s story here.

Saints Foundation will also be represented within the Saints Legends team, with our ambassadors Franny Benali and James Beattie returning to St Mary’s. While our Chief Operating Officer Sam Fulling will be on stage in the Northam Fan Zone at half time of the women’s team game against Portsmouth.

You can still buy your tickets for Sunday here.