Oxford United Stars Surprise Young Fans at Summer Football Camp

In a heartwarming event, participants at Oxford United in the Community’s Summer Holiday Football Camps got an unforgettable surprise. First-team stars Simon Eastwood and Elliott Moore visited the young fans at The Oxford Academy in Littlemore, taking part in Q&A sessions, signing autographs, and even playing a quick match in the 3G dome.

Rob Porter, Lead Community Coach at Oxford United in the Community, shared his excitement about the event: “The response to our summer camps this year was excellent, and it was pleasing to see so many youngsters develop both on and off the pitch through the holidays. Welcoming Simon and Elliott to our final day of delivery was a real treat and unlocked a fantastic experience for our participants.”

The event concluded a busy six-week program that saw over 350 children, aged 4-13, attend the camps. During their time at camp, the children learned new football skills, but also honed important life skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.

Porter elaborated on the significance of the player’s visit: “Receiving a pass from Elliott or scoring a goal past Simon are the types of memories which will last a lifetime and epitomise what our work at Oxford United in the Community is about. We’re very grateful to Simon and Elliott for their time. They had some great conversations and tips for our participants which we know will live long in their memories.”

United defender Elliott Moore was also pleased to be part of the special day: “Seeing so many children enjoying their football and training during the school holidays was great to see. As first-team players, lots of youngsters living locally look up to us so it’s important we do what we can to inspire the next generation with the help of Oxford United in the Community.”

The summer program included three girls-only camps, a new addition that reflects the growing demand for female football opportunities in the area.

Oxford United in the Community’s holiday camps will be back for the autumn half-term break from Monday, October 23, to Friday, October 27. Details for the upcoming camps will be released soon.

For more information on Oxford United in the Community and its continued efforts to inspire healthier, happier, and better-connected communities, visit www.ouitc.org.