Phallon Tullis-Joyce joined students from Manchester United Foundation partner schools in an inspiring conservational experience at Chester Zoo, just one day on from the Women’s League Cup Final.

Regularly delivering lessons about marine life and biology in Foundation partner schools, Phallon joined a group of Eco Reds students on a special tour of Chester Zoo, where she took part in eco-friendly workshops and a tour of the rainforest habitat with Jaguars and two-toed sloths.

Led by expert zookeepers, Phallon enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the Komodo dragon habitat, where she helped to feed the dragons and spread scent trails to understand more about the endangered species and successful breeding programmes.

Phallon said: “It’s been a great day meeting the school students and learning about the outreach and breeding programmes here at Chester Zoo. It’s been a really special journey with the Eco Reds, starting when I first came to the club two-and-a-half years ago. We started then by crafting clay cuttlefish and now being here at Chester Zoo, the students are doing incredible things.

“When I first signed at Manchester United, one of the first questions I asked was about the community outreach. Right away, the Foundation got me straight into the classroom and speaking to the students, which has been so rewarding. As professional athletes, we want to give back so we can inspire the next professional footballer or the next conservationist. All the zookeepers have been incredible and with the wealth of knowledge they have, it’s special for the students to be here and feel that passion, so hopefully it inspires them too.”

Eco Reds is the Foundation’s environmental and sustainability programme which has been running for three years, engaging over 400 Foundation participants across partner primary, secondary and SEN schools and community projects. Participants taking part in the programme lead on sustainability activations and activity within their schools and local communities.

Kennedy, aged 13 from Manchester Academy, said: “We’ve been learning about sustainability, the animals here, about how they’re endangered and how we can help them. I think it’s really interesting how Phallon can be a footballer and still be so interested in the environment and the animals and plants that are around here. She’s taking so much time to show people her interests and the need to protect the environment.”

Chester Zoo is passionate about creating and nurturing conservationists of the future, engaging with almost 130,000 school children a year who visit the zoo to learn about conservation.

Naiara Dunn, Schools Engagement Assistant Manager at Chester Zoo said: “It’s been fantastic to host the children at Chester Zoo and teach them more about the incredible animals we’re home to, the threats they face in the wild, and how we can all make a difference for conservation.

“As a conservation and education charity, engaging children in important topics such as the illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss and what Chester Zoo is doing to protect animals and their homes is an important part of our charitable mission. Having footballer Phallon join us for the sessions has further inspired the children, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for the natural world and really got them thinking about how we can all play a part to protect it. Phallon’s passion for wildlife and conservation is truly infectious and has been a huge support in the education tour.”

Eco Reds was made possible by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Fund. Administered through the Premier League Foundation, the funding helps football clubs to tackle inequality and respond to local challenges, supporting people and their communities to be more inclusive.