Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot has been getting to grips with a different kind of opponent after teaming up with the Newcastle United Foundation for a special fun day at Newburn Judo Club.

The 26 year-old stopper proved to be very much hands-on as he took to the mats at Newburn Activity Centre alongside 40 young participants from schools across the North East – even demonstrating a textbook throw on the Club’s own British Champion, Courtney Shoulder.

Elliot was in attendance to watch and encourage the young athletes, who were all aged 10-16, as part of the Premier League 4 Sport project, of which Newburn is Hub Club for judo. The aim is to encourage pupils who attend judo clubs at their schools to advance their skills at the community facility.

Premier League 4 Sport (PL4S) is funded by a £3.8 million partnership with the Premier League and UK Government with the aim of providing chances for young people to take part in sport outside school hours, improving the infrastructure and links between schools and clubs.

The project started in September 2009 and has helped thousands of young people get involved in local community sport. PL4S sees Newcastle United acting as a hub linked to community sports facilities, which in turn are linked to local secondary schools to create satellite sports centres.

As well as receiving coaching from the staff, the children were able to show off their talents by challenging their peers, with students representing Thomas Walling Primary School, Ponteland Middle School, Whickham Sports College, Richard Coates Middle School and Sacred Heart School.

Elliot said: “It was great fun joining in. There were some really talented young people here today so it’s great that the Premier League 4 Sport scheme is helping them to improve their skills. It’s a great facility.”

Joe Laws, head coach at Newburn Judo Club, added: “The event was a really worthwhile experience. It has provided an opportunity for all the children to come along to the club and take part in Judo in a relaxed environment against children from other schools.

“The day was completed when Rob Elliott popped in to watch the children get put through their paces. He was a great sport taking to the mats and showing off his skills.”

To learn more about how the Newcastle United Foundation is using football to engage and improve the lives of youngsters, please visit www.nufc.co.uk/foundation.