Bucs and Manchester United team up for youth sports clinic in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. (WINK) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United teamed up Sunday for a dual-sport youth clinic at the AdventHealth Training Center, giving 60 kids from the city of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department a chance to learn both flag football and soccer in the same afternoon.

Buccaneers linebacker Nick Jackson and former Manchester United defender Wes Brown led drills as the kids rotated between the two sports.

Kourtney Sanchez, the Buccaneers’ chief impact officer, said the event was about more than just a one-day crossover.

“The Glazer family really believes in the correlation between playing sports growing up and becoming a leader later in life,” Sanchez said. “So for us, providing opportunity for sports and access, and allowing them to learn these skills, we think has a longer ripple effect than just today’s fun will.”

Sanchez said the Buccaneers regularly work with the city of Tampa to create opportunities for underserved youth and added that the organization has helped provide free flag football access to 15,000 elementary and middle school students in the community during the school year.

For Jackson, the clinic was also a chance to give kids the kind of experience he remembers from growing up.

“I remember when I was growing up in Atlanta, a lot of people did this stuff, my parents took me to camps, and it meant a lot to me,” Jackson said. “So, just to try and give back and hopefully inspire some kids like that, uh, would mean a lot to me.”

Brown said the clinic gave kids a chance to try something new while staying active.

“They are not really used to playing soccer, maybe. But you can see there’s some talented kids, simple as that,” Brown said. “But, it’s all about getting involved and trying different things and again, having fun and enjoying yourself and that’s the main thing.”

Brown said he hopes the event can spark something bigger for the kids who took part.

“I had my dream come true, and I played for Manchester United, my home team as well,” Brown said. “So hopefully, someone gets the inspiration to do that. And that’s what it’s all about. Dreams coming true.”