The Premier League Primary Stars Champions course concluded in Tamil Nadu with final phase of the training taking place over four days at the end of February. 

Mziyanda Matiwane's enthusiasm for football for community development began as a volunteer with the Grootbos Foundation. However, before his involvement with Premier Skills, Mziyanda felt uncertain about how to engage and inspire the young people he coached. A lack of quality education in community coaching in South Africa left him without the skills or confidence to lead effectively.

For the second time in a year, Rongjiang County in Guizhou province hosted Premier Skills training. In December 2024, the programme brought together 42 participants, including schoolteachers and football coaches to take part in a training course. The programme focuses on introducing innovative community football coaching techniques and equips educators with the tools to inspire young people through sport. 

Palesa is a PE teacher based in the east of Johannesburg, South Africa. She has completed the Premier Skills Physical Education training for teachers as well as the additional course to become a Premier Skills PE teacher trainer.

In November 2024, the Government of Tamil Nadu partnered with the British Council India to implement Premier League Primary Stars, a programme aimed at equipping children with essential life skills through sports and physical education.

Syed is a football coach, training children as young as four years old at a grassroots football academy, based in Hyderabad.   

Shekhar is a full-time Physical Education teacher with 21 years of experience, teaching in a secondary school. In addition to teaching, he is also a football coach and coach educator.

Sheheen is the head coach of the Gokulam Kerala FC academy team in India. He has completed all three levels of the Premier Skills training program and the advanced Premier Skills Champions course.

Nomnikelo is an educator based in Eastern Cape, South Africa. She has completed the Premier Skills Physical Education Advanced Course.

Thando is a Primary School educator based in Gauteng East, teaching Life Skills and Physical Education. He has completed Premier Skills Advance Course phase 1, 2 and Bespoke. 

From 21 to 25 October 2024, British Council and Premier League partnered with Guangzhou Education Bureau to deliver the first stage of the Premier League Primary Stars teacher training programme. 

A selection of images from the Premier Skills Physical Education course in Easter Cape, South Africa

Nomonde Mashabane is a community coach and a school sports assistant in Soweto, South Africa. Nomonde began her training with the Premier League and British Council in 2014 when she learnt about community development and football.

A group of Chinese decision-makers embarked on an educational visit to the UK, with a focus on learning about the Premier League Primary Stars programme.

The Partnership activities in China are focused on enhancing school football coaching and physical education (PE) teaching standards and empowering educators to deliver high-quality, student-centred sports education.

Since 2013, the British Council and the Premier League have been working to empower football coaches and primary teachers in South Africa and provide them with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to use football and sport to tackle social issues and support thousands of disadvantaged young people.

The Partnership in India has worked together to create positive change in schools and communities since 2007.