McDonald’s launches search for UEFA Euro 2016™ Player Escorts
Youngsters to walk out with the stars and be part of major fixtures in France this summer.
LONDON, UK – 29th February 2016 – McDonald’s ambassadors Ryan Giggs, Martin Keown and Pat Jennings have today joined forces to launch a competition which will give kids the chance to win a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a McDonald’s Player Escort at UEFA EURO 2016™.
The McDonald’s Player Escort programme gives young football fans an opportunity to be at the heart of the home nation footballing action this summer. Nine lucky children will receive the chance to stand beside their national heroes and walk out at hotly anticipated fixtures throughout the tournament including England vs Wales, Northern Ireland vs Germany and the UEFA EURO 2016™ Final.
The competition asks parents to capture their child’s football passion and upload images of them enjoying the beautiful game. It is open to all children in the UK who will be aged between 6 and 10 years old on 10th June 2016, the lucky winners will join the qualifying home nation of their choice and walk out hand-in-hand with their football idols at this summer’s tournament in France.
McDonald’s Head of English Football, Martin Keown, said: “Nothing can compare to the rush of competing in front of your fans during an international tournament. It is a feeling you never forget as a player. England have an exciting squad of up-and-coming talent that will be competing in France this summer and that will only help to inspire the younger generation of fans watching at home.
“The children chosen to be Player Escorts at UEFA EURO 2016™ will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of something truly special, accompanying future legends of English football as they step out into some of the iconic grounds in European football.”
McDonald’s Head of Welsh Football, Ryan Giggs, added: “Everyone in Wales has been inspired by the national team reaching the UEFA EURO 2016™ Finals and for the lucky few who will be chosen as a McDonald’s Player Escort, the fairy-tale doesn’t end there. Walking out to a deafening ovation from your national fans is an incredibly special moment and this is an amazing opportunity that will stay with these young fans for the rest of their lives.”
“It’s always an honour for any player to represent their national team but even more so when it’s at the finals of a major tournament”, said McDonald’s Head of Northern Irish Football Pat Jennings. “Walking out onto the pitch to play for my country always filled me with a huge sense of pride and I can only imagine how incredible the feeling will be for those lucky player escorts who will have the opportunity to walk out alongside their national heroes. It’s going to be an experience that stays with them forever.”
The McDonald’s Player Escort programme has provided thousands of children with the chance to stand beside football superstars since its inception in 2002. For more information, or to register a child for the opportunity to be a Player Escort at UEFA EURO 2016™, please visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/euro2016 or follow us on Twitter (@BetterPlayUK) or Instagram (@BetterPlayUK).