Endo and Leoni Join LFC Foundation Visit to Local School 2026

Key Points

• This past week, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni visited Hope Primary School in Knowsley to conduct a Premier League Primary Stars programme for LFC Foundation.
• The sudden visit brought about emotional responses, one of which was a child who was crying out of happiness after seeing the two players walk into the hall.
• Having gotten over their excitement, children put the two players through mini-games and drills conducted by the LFC Foundation coaches.
• Giovanni explained that he found it really good to see the kids having fun since it meant a lot to him as a footballer.
• Wataru went further to say that “we show ourselves not only on the pitch but also off the pitch.”

Liverpool Sports (Liverpool standard) September 24, 2026 – LFC first-team players Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni made an unannounced visit to Hope Primary School in Knowsley last week, joining pupils during a Premier League Primary Stars session delivered by LFC Foundation. The appearance, which took place during the final lesson of the day, turned a routine sports-based session into a memorable afternoon for the children, according to the club’s official website.

What happened when Endo and Leoni visited Hope Primary School?

The Liverpool duo arrived at the school in Knowsley last week for the final lesson of the day, joining pupils in a sports-based session led by LFC Foundation coaches, giving them an afternoon to remember. The surprise visit sparked unforgettable reactions from the pupils, with one child bursting into tears of happiness when Endo and Leoni entered the hall. After the excitement settled, the youngsters quickly put the players to the test through a series of mini-games and drills led by LFC Foundation coaches.

How did Leoni and Endo react to the children’s response?

Speaking after the session, Leoni said:

“It’s really good to see the kids have fun and enjoy the day and I hope to be able to do this more.” He added:

“I have a lot of memories from when I was the same age as them, so it’s good to come here and spend time with them. It means a lot to me when you see how happy it makes them, and it’s one of the best things to do as a footballer.”

Endo added:

“They had so much fun and they enjoyed their time with us, and we had fun too, so it is always a great thing to do.”

He continued:

“As players, we can show ourselves on the pitch but also off the pitch and it’s important to do these things as footballers, and we are always happy to support LFC Foundation.”

What is the Premier League Primary Stars programme?

Premier League Primary Stars is a national education and community programme delivered by the Premier League and its clubs, including through local partners such as LFC Foundation. The initiative uses the appeal of football to engage primary school children in learning across subjects such as literacy, numeracy, physical education and personal development, while also supporting schools with resources and training. Sessions can include sports activities, classroom workshops and legacy projects that link curriculum themes to real-world contexts.

LFC Foundation, the official charity of Liverpool FC, delivers Premier League Primary Stars activities across schools in the local area, working with coaches and coordinators to run sport-based and educational sessions. The foundation’s work is part of a wider effort to tackle social inequalities in communities around Merseyside, according to the club.

Who are Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni?

Wataru Endo is a Japan international midfielder who joined Liverpool FC and has featured for the first team in domestic and European competition. He has previously taken part in LFC Foundation activities, including surprise visits to school sessions and community events, and has spoken about the importance of players engaging off the pitch.

Giovanni Leoni is a Liverpool FC player who has been involved with the club’s first-team environment and community initiatives. His comments during the Hope Primary School visit highlighted the personal significance he attaches to spending time with children of a similar age to when he began playing football.

What did LFC Foundation say about the visit?

The visit was reported on Liverpool FC’s official website under the LFC Foundation news section, which described the session as “unforgettable” for the pupils. The club’s account noted that the players joined a sports-based session led by LFC Foundation coaches and that the children were able to take part in mini-games and drills with Endo and Leoni.

LFC Foundation has previously hosted similar surprise visits from Liverpool players, including earlier engagements involving Endo at STEM-focused sessions and other community events. These activities form part of the foundation’s ongoing work with local schools and young people across the region.

Background of the development

LFC Foundation was established as the official charity of Liverpool FC to address social inequalities and support communities in and around the city. It delivers a range of programmes in partnership with the Premier League, local authorities, schools and other organisations, focusing on areas such as education, health, employment and social inclusion.

Premier League Primary Stars, one of the foundation’s core education programmes, operates in primary schools across England and is delivered locally by club foundations including LFC Foundation. The programme provides schools with free resources, training and in-school activities that use football to engage children in learning and personal development.

Surprise visits from first-team players are used by the club and its foundation to highlight the impact of these programmes and to strengthen links between the team and local communities. Previous visits by Endo and other players to LFC Foundation sessions have been covered by national broadcasters and featured on programmes such as BBC Match of the Day, underlining the public interest in such community work.

Prediction: how this development may affect local schools and young people

The visit by Endo and Leoni is likely to reinforce the profile of Premier League Primary Stars and LFC Foundation among schools in Knowsley and the wider Merseyside area. For pupils at Hope Primary School, the experience may increase engagement with physical activity and school-based programmes, while also providing a tangible link between their daily learning and the professional football environment.

For local schools and young people, repeated high-profile involvement from Liverpool FC players could encourage greater participation in foundation-run activities and strengthen perceptions of the club as a community-focused institution. Over time, this may support broader objectives around attendance, behaviour and attainment in schools that regularly access Premier League Primary Stars resources, as well as fostering positive attitudes towards sport, education and community involvement among children in the region.