Have you ever wondered why footballers are accompanied by kids on the field, the significance behind it, and its cultural meaning? If so, join me as I explore the origins of this tradition.
The notion of player escort, also known as player mascot or child escort was proposed by Ronan Ramos Oliveira, a Brazilian, in the 1970s.
Ronan, the Public Relations Director of Clube Atlético Mineiro [a Brazilian club], proposed that children accompany Atlético Mineiro players onto the field during their match against fellow Brazilian side América Mineiro on September 5, 1976.
Player escorts walk in hand-in-hand with the footballer and remain by their side during the national anthem or the tournament’s theme song, like the UEFA Champions League anthem.
One of Ronan’s reasons for introducing player escorts was to encourage more families to attend league games.
But today, there are several reasons why players walk out with children, such as promoting children’s rights campaigns, introducing a sense of innocence to the game, fulfilling kids’ dreams or generating profit, and reminding players that they serve as role models for young fans.
Initially, the selected children had to resemble the players, but now any child can be a player escort. These children are typically chosen based on their exceptional performance in youth leagues and they are mostly between the ages of 6 to 18 years.
Becoming a player mascot can either be free or come with a cost. In the English Premier League, certain clubs charge between £350 and £600 depending on the match, while others offer free spots through competitions and charities. Some clubs don’t charge any fee at all.
Besides accompanying players, player escorts often have responsibilities like carrying flags, assisting the sideline ball crew, and playing matches with each other.
Some great players such as Wayne Rooney was a mascot for Everton before joining their youth academy and becoming a first-team player.
Story by: Gabriel Tecco Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
