Advanced Television

Zig Zag creates Southgate doc for YouTube Originals

April 22, 2021

By Nik Roseveare

Zig Zag productions will deliver the Raise Your Game with Gareth Southgate documentary in June as part of YouTube’s Originals series, ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament.

This feature documentary will provide an insight into the life of the current England manager. A line-up of YouTube creators – including ChrisMD, SV2, Yung Filly, and StuntPegg – will explore Southgate’s life lessons, his career journey, and his ambitions for the future of English football, and beyond.

Each YouTube creator story will break off from Southgate’s intimate interview to tell a tale of an inspirational young person in the UK, linking back to one of his three core motivational beliefs of “Be Kind, Be Brave, and Follow Your Dreams”. Each story will demonstrate how Southgate’s philosophies are being realised in the real-world, whilst highlighting how young people across the country are raising their game to not only make a difference within grassroots football, but their wider communities too.


Southgate commented: “Ahead of this year’s Euros, I want to celebrate and shine a light on the inspirational work of so many young people across our country. It has been a tough and challenging time for so many people and it continues to be. There are so many more important things in life than football, but I want to show the role that our national game can play in our lives and how it can be a real force for good for so many. There is no doubt that football can be used to positively help improve mental health and wellbeing.  This has been evident throughout the pandemic and is especially important as lockdown restrictions are eased and grassroots sports comes back to our communities.

“At a time when we are looking ahead and being hopeful, we also must reflect on the huge inequalities in our society and how football must continue to play its part in addressing these imbalances.  Specifically, I refer to social exclusion, gender and racial inequality.  Our national game has a duty to help those affected – particularly people from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups and backgrounds. I know that many of us are excited ahead of this Summer’s European Championship as it symbolises a return to some semblance of normality.  The England team has a duty this Summer to set an example by addressing inequality in a constructive way.  But everyone involved in the game – at all levels – can play their part I’m pleased YouTube Originals commissioned this documentary and gave me the opportunity to listen to the stories of so many extraordinary young people.  I hope others can be inspired by their stories as much as I am,” he added.

The film is directed by Jacob Proud and Greg Hardes of Burning Flag films. The Producer is Madeleine Sanderson of Curate Films and Series Producer is Dan Riley. Executive producers are Zig Zag productions’ Danny Fenton and Matt Graff.

Fenton, Founder at Zig Zag productions said, ‘‘We’re incredibly proud to produce such an inspirational project which couldn’t be more pertinent at a time when the nation needs uplifting stories. Working alongside Gareth and the team has been an absolute joy and we can’t wait to showcase the true role of the beautiful game within society.”

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