10-year-old Lennon, visiting from Vancouver, Canada, is football-mad. This summer, his trip to Southsea to visit family turned into something really special – all thanks to our summer sessions here at Pompey in the Community.

During their three-week stay, Lennon didn’t just watch football from the stands at Fratton Park. He got stuck in with our goalkeeping training and toured the stadium at our STEAM session. Both sessions really made him feel like part of the Pompey family.

Pompey in the Community were behind all the activities he attended, and made sure Lennon had an unforgettable time.

 

Lennon’s Portsmouth adventure kicked off in the best way, with a Pompey in the Community STEAM session. The group made Tote Bags, Lennon enjoyed the session alongside his cousin. It was a brilliant introduction to the club’s community outreach. “They had the best day,” said Lennon’s mum. He also took part in the Pompey in the Community stadium tour at the session, diving deeper into the club’s rich history and gaining a new level of knowledge for what makes Portsmouth FC so iconic. Back home in Canada, Lennon plays for Surrey United in the U11 BC Soccer Premier League and trains with both the Surrey United High Performance Academy and the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy Programme. So when he spotted Pompey in the Community’s goalkeeper-specific training, he jumped at the opportunity. The sessions, led by coach Logan, were a highlight of his trip. “He had the best time at goalie training today and yesterday,” said his mum. The high-level coaching, fun environment, and welcoming atmosphere gave Lennon a great experience.

With his uncle being a Pompey season ticket holder, Lennon was lucky enough to attend two first-team games during his visit. Experiencing the energy of Fratton Park on matchday is something special, and Lennon soaked up every minute of it.

Lennon’s family couldn’t be more grateful for the exceptional welcome they received. “Thank you for making us feel so welcome,” said his mum. “We weren’t sure what programmes would be running while we were here, but the goalie one looked so good”

From all the way in Vancouver to Portsmouth, Lennon’s story shows the true reach of football, and the power of community. We were delighted to make his trip so memorable.