The anniversary of the football foundation with the launch of a five-year strategy

 

The UK’s biggest sports charity, the Football Foundation, has celebrated its 25th anniversary of its commitment to meeting the growing needs of the women’s and girls’ game.

The charity brought together senior figures from sport and government to celebrate at the Burgess Park sports center in south London, where the facility opened in June thanks to a $3.1m (£2.4m) grant from the foundation. For a quarter of a century, their goal has been to provide grassroots facility improvements for all, “regardless of gender, race, disability or location.”

Using funds generated by the English Premier League, the Football Foundation was inaugurated in 2000 as a way to give back to the game. They have invested $1.7 billion (£1.3 billion) in projects over the past 25 years in partnership with the English Football Association and the UK government. Since 2000, the charity has funded 1,300 3G pitches, 15,000 grass pitches and 1,700 changing rooms, inspiring healthier lives and strengthening communities.

“The Premier League is committed to supporting every level of the game,” said Rihard Masters, CEO of the Premier League, “and providing pitches and facilities that benefit people across the country is a key part of this. The new development at Burgess Park is a great example of the many venues that have been improved thanks to the Football Foundation’s investment. Its positive impact on the local community will be felt for years to come.

“It is thanks to the continued success and growth of English football that we can continue to provide important funding to the Football Foundation in partnership with the FA and the Government.”

While the numbers of women playing the game have risen since England won the first of two consecutive European titles from 2022, the number of pitches available has not been enough to meet the growing demand from women and girls.

One of the five pillars of the Football Foundation’s new game-changing strategy is the development of facilities specific to the women’s game. With a new focus on helping everyone across the country lead healthier lives and have stronger communities, they work with local authorities, county FAs and other community stakeholders. The emphasis is on providing where the need is greatest and the impact is strongest.

England’s most capped player in history is a woman. Fara Williams has been a mainstay in the Lioness midfield for almost two decades, playing a record 172 games for the national team. Yet she was homeless for seven years early in her career, living in hostels while playing for England.

Williams attended the anniversary celebrations alongside former Premier League defender Anton Ferdinand. Both were born in South London, a few miles from the new Burgess Park facilities. They now work as trustees of a football foundation.

Anton Ferdinand and Fara Williams. The Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation are celebrating 25 years across the country. Burgess Park Community Sports Centre, London, UK

FOOTBALL FOUNDATION

Williams explained that “when I was younger, we had free facilities, but they were just open parks; we’d just show up and play. It was a bit more complicated – bumpy grass pitches, dogs running around the pitch when we were trying to play. You had to learn how to adapt and make it work.”

“The facilities now are incredible compared to what we had. And the fact that young people have free access to them is incredibly important. Some parks these days are locked and access isn’t always there, so the fact that these spaces are available for young children is huge.”

While many of Williams’ generation were forced to play alongside boys because there were often no suitable alternatives for young girls, a new generation of players is growing up with different expectations. Williams said: “We know there are still opportunities for mixed football, but for some girls who are just taking their first steps into the game, being part of a girls’ team and feeling safe in that environment makes a huge difference. The fact that they have it now and that it’s funded and supported is incredible. Keep it up.”

The Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation are celebrating 25 years across the country. Burgess Park Community Sports Centre, London, UK

FOOTBALL FOUNDATION

“Clearly there’s a plan going forward, and that’s what you want to see. To give these kids a platform to become the next Alessia Russo, Beth Mead or Lucy Bronze, they need those opportunities. To start their journey first and then feel safe enough to continue. Places like this really help to do that.”

“It’s hard for young girls; it was when I was growing up. There weren’t really girls’ bathrooms or locker rooms. The fact that they have it here now is incredible. And that they can join the boys, I love that. That interaction and feeling comfortable is so important. When you watch the coaches today, you can see how they integrate boys and girls, and that’s what we need more of.”

“We have to show the younger guys that it’s okay for women to play football now, we’re back-to-back European champions, we’ve been to the World Cup final. They’ve seen it. For so long girls have been told they can’t play football, but if you look around here today, you can see that they can and they can do it with the boys. It’s great.”