Godden and O'Hare put to the test as Coventry pupils quiz Sky Blues stars
A pair of Coventry City stars used to outsmarting Championship defences were put through their paces by children at a Coventry primary school.
City fan-favourites Matty Godden and Callum O’Hare joined more than 200 pupils at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, to answer young fans’ burning questions and celebrate a pair of award-winning pupils.
The visit, supported by Sky Blues in the Community, took place after St Patrick’s pupils Ellarose and Piper helped the school win Coventry City Council’s Go Parks: Active Schools Challenge by creating a short video showcasing their support for the Sky Blues, which was crowned the winner in a public vote.
The Go Parks: Active Schools Challenge aimed to get children and families active in their local green spaces and parks. The challenge saw more than 70,000 participants support over 100 local schools, with a variety of prizes on offer.
The players, after meeting the two young stars, fielded a range of questions from pupils across the school from Year 2 to Year 6 in a special afternoon assembly.
Pupils asked the star duo about their training routines and what it takes to become a professional footballer, as well as how to deal with adversity and respond to bullies.
The players encouraged pupils work hard and follow their dreams as they did as youngsters, and urged them to speak up if they experience or see bullying in any aspect of life.
Before visiting each year group in their classrooms for a team photo, the pupils, and avid city-supporting staff, gave renditions of matchday staples ‘We’ve got O’Hare’ and ‘Super Matty Godden’.
Mark McLoughlin, Principal of St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, said: “It was a privilege to host Callum and Matt, and inspiring for the students to meet and talk to two people who have achieved great success through their hard work.
“Their answers gave us all a window into the life of a professional footballer, but also showed that there are some essential values that overlap across all walks of life, and I’d like to thank them for their generosity in sharing those insights.
“The visit has been a great way to thank Ellarose and Piper for their efforts in the Go Parks competition as young advocates not only of the school, but of young people across the city.”
Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, Coventry City Council, said: "I'm so pleased that St Patrick's Catholic Primary School finally got their Coventry City Football Club visit. It was such a fantastic prize that was a part of our Go Parks: Active Schools Challenge. The students' efforts to win the Flash Challenge and get the visit were all brilliant.
"It was great to see that the children had the opportunity to ask the players questions about their sport, but also enjoy playing some football with them. I hope both the players and the school had a great time and I look forward to what is next for the Go Parks project in the city."
