Hyde Park to host the 2011 Grassroots Day

044 – Media invited to attend activities and photo call on Wednesday 25 May

Following the success of the first UEFA Grassroots Day held in Madrid, three days before the 2010 UEFA Champions League final, the UEFA Executive Committee has declared Wednesday 25 May 2011 as the second UEFA Grassroots Day. The aim is to celebrate and recognise grassroots football programmes and activities throughout Europe during the week leading up to the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium.

The Grassroots Day schools' tournament, organised by the Football Association, will take place in Hyde Park on the UEFA Champions Festival mini-pitch on Wednesday 25 May, between 13.00 and 15.15. It is part of a whole week of events for the Young Champions programme, while famous faces will be on hand to act as UEFA grassroots ambassadors.

A photo call will be organised at 14.00 on the pitch with the players, plus UEFA Technical Director Andy Roxburgh and the FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking, who will then both also be available for media interviews.

In addition to the main events in London, the UEFA Grassroots Day website www.uefagrassrootsday.com also gives UEFA's 53 national associations an opportunity to showcase their grassroots work and to keep up date with the activities planned in their country or region. The site also provides educational material on key topics such as winning and losing and teamwork. Teachers, coaches and parents can access online lessons designed to aid youngsters' understanding of values that have huge sporting, educational and social significance.

In the aftermath of the London proceedings, the UEFA Executive Committee will decide on this season's UEFA Grassroots Awards in the categories Best Grassroots Project, Best Grassroots Club and Best Grassroots Leader. The decision will be taken at the next UEFA Executive Committee meeting, to take place at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on 16 and 17 June.