18 October 2007
VIDEO: Prince William visits Hat-Trick
Prince William gives kids in Newcastle the thrill of a lifetime by taking to the field as part of the Hat-Trick project.
England Under-21s captain Steven Taylor has lent his support to a grassroots iniative in Newcastle that gives local kids top quality coaching in impressive facilities.

Taylor was at the West Gate Community College on Thursday to see at first-hand the benefits of The FA's Hat-Trick project, and the Newcastle United defender believes it can only help kids to have fresh facilities to play football.

Taylor said: "I think it's massive for the local area, for these young kids to be given the opportunity to play with these facilities it's fantastic.

"You saw huge smiles on their faces to see Prince William here today, and the fact that he's joined in with the five-a-side tournament is great for the kids."

Taylor admitted that the facilities on offer were far better than those he played on in his youth.

"When I was a kid we didn't have these kind of facilities," Taylor explained. "We would play in parks and fields, nothing like what we see here at Westgate it is unbelievable here. They're getting top quality coaching as well.
"Coming to places like this is important for kids in improving as players."

Taylor also reflected on a satisfying week for the England Under-21s as they secured two wins and two clean sheets to continue their perfect qualification campaign.

"It was very satisfying but we're not taking our foot off the pedal just yet. We want maximum points and there is no reason why we can't get that.

"It was an important win and that's four clean sheets now so long may that continue. Things are looking good and we hope to maintain that.

"There were two great goals from Mark (Noble), he could have got a hat-trick as well in the second half. He's very popular in the dressing room and he's a good character to have around the place so I was very pleased for him."

On being captain, Taylor could not be more proud.

"It's a massive honour, just to be given the shirt is fantastic, but there's no better feeling than to be captain. It's the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I really believe we can go one step further than we did in Holland, the squad we have now is good enough to go and win it and the rest of the lads are very confident about it and there's no reason why we can't go there and bring back the cup."

Hat-Trick Project information:

The FA Hat-Trick regeneration programme is a three-year scheme that has seen the appointment of 19 community football workers around the country after The FA secured £4.5million in funding from UEFA and the Government.

Their role is to provide a range of football opportunities for young people aged 7-16 in communities that suffer from multiple deprivation; poor health, housing, education, and high incidences of crime and drug abuse. These areas also include significant ethnic minority communities and this scheme is enabling The FA to further its commitment to Football for All.