Skip to content

Children's football coach gets Premier League award

George Carden
BBC News, South East
Reporting fromBrighton
BBC Glenn Murray hands the award which is multicoloured and barrel shaped. Both are wearing raincoats and Glenn is holding an umbrellaBBC
Glenn Murray gave the award to Jaime at Manor Road in Brighton

A football coach has been named as a community captain by the Premier League for her work in grassroots football.

Jaime Quinn thought she was going to be running a normal training session on 29 January at Manor Road, Brighton.

But the 23-year-old got a special surprise from former Brighton and Hove Albion striker Glenn Murray and Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.

Jaime's award recognises her role working for the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation helping young people play football.

"It was very much a surprise," she told BBC Radio Sussex.

"A lot of the other coaches knew but didn't tell me. It was a massive surprise that they knew and I didn't. The girls are loving it too."

Jaime said she first started joining the sessions when she was 14 and eventually got offered a job after 2020 as a coach.

She said: "They helped me get out of my shell and improve my confidence.

"It's really rewarding, they come every week so you see a lot of development and growth."

Jaime Quinn chatting to a group of girls who she coaches standing on an astro turf football pitch. There's a goal behind them and metal fence
Jaime Quinn has been recognised for her work as a football coach for children

The awards are being given out across the country as part of the Premier League's More Than A Game campaign which the organisation said is shining a light on Premier League funded programmes.

Murray said: "We probably spent a bit more time on the streets doing this but now there's initiatives to do it and come along for free.

"That's very important these days to give back from what is the global league of the Premier League."

The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Masters, said: "More Than A Game is a celebration of all the great work that club's do in their communities and the investment those communities and the grassroots of the game."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.