Liutauras Balciunas, a 19-year-old from Newcastle, has been officially named a 'Local Legend' by the Premier League.
The teenager has picked up the award as part of his involvement in Premier League Kicks, a local community programme supporting thousands of youngsters via free weekly football sessions and educational workshops.
To celebrate the initiative's 15-year anniversary clubs have been nominating individuals who have taken part in, volunteered, or worked on the programme and inspired others through their dedication, work ethic and own personal development.
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Liutauras, (aka Lilly), has a six-year association with Premier League Kicks.
He has gone from troublesome participant to valued volunteer within the programme.
Sarah Burn, Newcastle United Foundation PL Kicks co-ordinator remembers Lilly joining in as a participant on the programme in 2016.
"I remember him coming in and having a bit of an attitude, being one of the lads, he was a little big aggressive, a little bit negative and he did get removed from some sessions due to his behaviour.
"But the more he attended regularly and the more he engaged with the coaches on his pitch, the more you seen a massive difference in him."
Lilly's dedication and development has led to him taking up a volunteer role within the programme and now he is inspiring young people via his passion for football, just as he was inspired six-years ago.
"When I first started coming to Kicks, I didn't really know many people here," explained Lilly.
"At first, I was a bit shy and not as confident.
"It has taught me social skills, meeting people that you don't know, and that transfers outside of a football environment where if you meet someone it helps you socialise with them.”
Lilly has thoroughly earned Newcastle's Local Legend nomination and was presented with a bespoke Panini football card by former Newcastle United striker, and the club's current Loan Co-ordinator, Shola Ameobi as part of the award.
"This is what the power of football and sport does," said Ameobi.
"It takes kids off the street and gives them the opportunity to be a part of a team.
"Being able to converse together, play together, be part of something, that’s the beauty of what happens here each and every week.”
To date, the Premier League has invested almost £66million in Kicks and in the year ahead an estimated 80,000 young people will take part in the programme nationwide.
Since it began, 15 years ago, more than 440,000 young people have participated in Premier League Kicks football and multi-sport sessions held at community venues across England and Wales.
The programme started with four pilot clubs and is now run across 936 venues by 90 Premier League, English Football League and National League sides – all funded by the Premier League.
Visit premierleague.com for more information
