Record label trade body the BPI has announced it is supporting a community programme called Kickz which will aim to offer young people interested in football or music, or football and music, with the opportunity to expand their skills. The Kickz programme is also supported by the Premier League who will be funding the sporting component of the project, while money from the BPI's Brit Trust will fund music programmes with young people around the country.
BPI chief Geoff Taylor said the Kickz programme would "ensure that young people looking to develop their music-making will have access to better facilities, equipment and mentoring. We're looking forward immensely to furthering our involvement in Kickz and finding other ways in which we can work with the world of football to reach out to help young people discover and develop their talent".
Premier League man Richard Scudamore, meanwhile, told reporters: "It makes perfect sense for music to be a part of Kickz. Clubs can offer young people an opportunity to improve their football skills, whilst the new investment from the BPI can give those into music a chance to develop their talents too".