Grassroots Support

Football clubs across the country have received a special gift this Christmas - a £1,000 grant to help ensure that young players can continue participating in the sport. HOAR has provided funding for 150 clubs, ensuring that no child will miss out on playing football due to financial constraints at home.

Footie For All Campaign

The initiative, known as the Footie For All campaign, aims to address the issue of children being forced to drop out of clubs due to the cost-of-living crisis. In partnership with Tesco Stronger Starts, which provides healthy food and activities for children, £150,000 has been given away to grassroots clubs across the country.

Specialized Chairs for Inclusion

One of the clubs benefiting from the grant is the Sevenoaks Powerchair Club, which offers teens and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play football in adapted chairs. Head coach Adam McEvoy expressed his gratitude for the grant, highlighting the importance of keeping the chairs' batteries powered to ensure that players do not miss out on the sport.

Expanding Opportunities for Girls

The Coity Chiefs Girls FC in Coity, Bridgend, and Gornal Community Football Club in the West Midlands are among the clubs that have been awarded grants. These clubs are dedicated to providing girls with a supportive environment to play and develop their talent in football.

Building Confidence and Skills

LeeAnn Baker, who coaches the Coity Chiefs Girls FC, expressed her appreciation for the grant, which will allow the club to expand their pitch space and accommodate more girls who want to play football. Similarly, Alan Moore, coach of Gornal Community Football Club, plans to open up two new squads with the grant, providing girls who have completed the FA wildcat session with an opportunity to play competitively.

Supporting Grassroots Football

The grants provided by HOAR and Tesco aim to support football clubs across the country and ensure that children can continue participating in the sport they love. The partnership between Tesco Stronger Starts and Footie For All is making a difference in reaching more children and encouraging them to play football.