England stars drop in and leave The Hive buzzing

Thursday 12 Mar 2015
The England players pose for photographs with the children
The Three Lions flag was flying in north-west London for the March leg of the Together for England Roadshow.

England Women's pair Ellen White and Danielle Carter were on hand as the Three Lions contingent helped to get local schoolchildren active at the multi-sports facility.

Arsenal star Chuba Akpom meanwhile joined young Tottenham Hotspur duo Kyle Walker-Peters and Will Miller to take on some less familiar sports at The Hive.

As well as Thursday's Roadshow, Barnet's the new home will also host the England Under-20s when they take on Mexico on Wednesday 25 March.

Arsenal and England Under-20s striker Chuba Akpom turned his hand to a spot of touch rugby

The Hive Community Trust welcomed pupils from nearby Camrose Primary School, St Bernadette's Primary School and The Hyde Primary School to show off their football cricket and tag rugby skills to athletes more comfortable with a football at their feet. 

The event not only showcased the international training facility, which is regularly used by some of the finest footballers in the world as well as being open to the local community, but was also a chance to promote England U20s' forthcoming fixture against against Mexico.

England Under-23s striker Danielle Carter signing autographs for her young fans

And that was very much the theme of the day with the group of youngsters being split into two groups representing either England or Mexico. 

Once the various winners had been decided, the group of 60 settled down to grill the five football stars and discover what it takes to play sport at international level.

Akpom, who has appeared for England U20s on six occasions and will be hoping to be part of the squad when the Young Lions return for the match, said: "It's great to be involved in days like this.

Tottenham academy and England Under-18s player Will Miller gives the youngsters a few pointers

"We were all excited kids once. I remember being that age and all I ever wanted to do was to play football and meet footballers.

"You can see how much it means to these kids simply by looking at the excitement on their faces, and I'm just glad I can be a part of it. 

"Hopefully they'll all come back for our game against Mexico."

The day ended with the youngsters being given the opportunity to ask the players a few questions

It will be a busy March for England's teams with fans set to be treated to a whole host of matches on home soil.

The seniors face Lithuania at Wembley in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday 27 March (7.45pm), while the Under-21s host Germany at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough on Monday 30 March (7.45pm).

After facing Mexico at The Hive, Aidy Boothroyd's U20s will complete a double-header with a fixture against the USA at Home Park in Plymouth on Sunday 29 March (3pm). 

Elsewhere, England U18s host Switzerland at Walsall's Banks's Stadium on Saturday 28 March (5.30pm).

The U17s group face Norway at Burton Albion on Saturday 21 March (3pm), Slovenia at Chesterfield on Monday 23 March (7pm) before returning to the Pirelli Stadium to take on Romania on Thursday 26 March (7pm).

England Women will continue their warm-up to the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada with a fixture against China at Manchester City's Academy Stadium on Thursday 9 April (7.30pm). 

Ticket details for all fixtures can be found at TheFA.com.

By Jamie Reid Senior Writer At The Hive