The aim of the British Council Premier League Partnership in India

The Partnership in India has worked together to create positive change in schools and communities since 2007. It has delivered a number of initiatives either using football as a tool for improvement of young people’s lives or improving physical education in primary schools to enhance children’s enjoyment and engagement in sports and developing their skills.

A Brief History of the Partnership activities in India

The Premier Skills programme launched in India in 2007 initially integrating football with English language training. Premier Skills in India focused on training community football coaches and referees and by 2019 about 6,500 coaches and referees from 18 states were reached by the programme.  

In 2019, the Premier League Primary Stars (PLPS) programme was introduced. The programme trains primary school and physical education teachers in India on how to deliver inclusive, engaging and effective PE lessons. The aim of the programme is to inspire learning and increase physical activity of primary school children.  

Apart from the training, both the Premier Skills and PLPS programmes have also engaged young people and senior decision-makers through workshops, showcases and interactive community events. 

Who We Work with  

The PLPS programme works with:

• Teachers and other educators: Providing training to improve PE and PSHE education in primary schools across India.
• Coach Educators and PLPS Champions: Training teachers and coaches to deliver PE and PSHE sessions.
• Partners: Collaborating with education departments and other key local decision-makers, such as MoSchool in Odisha and the Kolkata Police in West Bengal, to identify needs and select suitable schools and teachers. We also engage with football clubs as and where suitable to encourage continued engagement with schools.  
• Premier League Coaches: Leading on development of tailored training content and training delivery for teachers, coaches and coach educators in India. 

What the Partnership has achieved so far

Since 2007 the British Council and Premier League have supported more than 7,300 educators and coaches across 18 states in India. As a result, more than 124,000 children and young people have benefitted from more engaging sport and physical education.  

The programme's expansion has led to a broader reach across India and has engaged new communities and improved the quality of PE and PSHE education in primary schools in certain states in India.