Schools compete in Enterprise Challenge

The Community Trust’s Premier League Enterprise project has kicked off its annual challenge to find a school to represent the Swans in the national business competition.

Clubs from across the league will be holding local heats where teams of five pupils pitch their entries to a panel of judges with one team being chosen to progress to the regional stage, with the top teams then making it to the finals held in London.

Now in its ninth year, the Premier League Enterprise Challenge is an exciting national competition for young people aiming at increasing awareness and understanding of business, enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Entering for the third consecutive year, the Swans will be looking to build on the success of previous years that include reaching the finals and narrowly missing out to Manchester United two years ago.

Competing this year are teams of Year 9 and 10 pupils from four local schools - Maesteg, Llangatwg, Pentrehafod and Dwr-Y-Felin – who will all be tasked with fulfilling the brief of diversifying the club’s fan base.

“We’re very excited to kick-off another season of the Premier League Enterprise Challenge and be able to build on the success of the last three years,” said Graham Smith, our PL Enterprise co-ordinator.

“We’re delighted to be able welcome Pentrehafod School, Llangatwg Community School and Ysgol Maesteg back to the competition, and have Dwr-Y-Felin School taking part for the first time. The Premier League Enterprise Challenge provides a unique opportunity for young people to experience the world of business and entrepreneurship, build their own enterprise skills and unlock their potential.”

This year also sees the Community Trust partner with multi-national company, Price Waterhouse Coopers, to provide the participating pupils with support throughout the Challenge.

“This year we are thrilled that Price Waterhouse Coopers have agreed to partner with us in the Premier League Enterprise Challenge and provide business mentors for each of our teams, with their staff volunteering to guide our teams in creating realistic and high-quality business plans,” Smith continued.

“It will take the experience our teams have onto another level, as they will be able to tap into real-world business experience as they make their way through the competition. There will also be a senior member of staff from the PWC Swansea team on our judging panel to provide expert feedback to our participants which will help them refine their ideas as they move forward to the next stage of the competition.”

Sue Mortimer, of Price Waterhouse Coopers Swansea, added: “It is a delight to be working alongside local schools and our Swansea City's Community Trust to encourage pupils and motivate them in their learning journey.”

Stay up to date with the progress of our teams by following @SwansCommunity on Twitter. To get your school involved with Premier League Enterprise, email Graham@scfccommunitytrust.co.uk