Football's coming home...
HOW McDONALD’S AND THE UK FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS ARE BRINGING FOOTBALL HOME FOR THE KIDS THIS AUTUMN
It’s been a footballing summer we’ll never forget, with British successes in the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Women’s World Cup leading to more people being introduced to the beautiful game than ever before.
But the footballing triumphs haven’t only taken place on the international stage – much closer to home, thousands of youngsters have been taking their first steps onto the pitch, thanks to an exciting initiative by McDonald’s and the four UK Football Associations.
The McDonald’s Fun Football programme has helped reach a new generation of footballers from five to 12 years old this summer through a series of events and tools. Think Fun Football Festivals where even Nan can try her hand at scoring a penalty; free football lessons for young players; and workbooks filled with puzzles and footballing tasks, and you’ll get a glimpse of just how entertaining this summer’s activities have been.
ONWARD FOR FUN!
Fortunately, the fun is set to continue well into the autumn,with more than 200 Fun Football Centres across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland hosting free, introductory football coaching sessions, each delivered by qualified UKFA coaches to boys and girls of all abilities.
FINDING THEIR FEET
Whether they cherish ideas of becoming the next Harry Kane or Steph Houghton, or have been inspired to simply have a go by this summer’s high-profile football tournaments, all children – regardless of their football knowledge, skill and experience – will receive a warm welcome at the Fun Football Centres.
These immersive sessions will allow youngsters who haven’t yet found their feet on the pitch to experience the enjoyment of simply having a go, while more experienced players will benefit from the unparalleled training knowledge of the world-class UKFA coaches delivering the sessions. Within a friendly and inclusive atmosphere, coaches will help youngsters to improve their performance on the pitch through offering skills training and activities that hone the capabilities of even the best players, while also boosting the confidence of children who might be nervous if new to the game.
Each individual centre will run the sessions over four consecutive weeks, with a one-hour session taking place each weekend.
This initiative is a part of McDonald’s commitment to celebrating local grassroots football. It builds on the efforts it has made to introduce as many children as possible to the game ever since it began working closely with all four UK FAs 17 years ago.
Announced last year, the Fun Football programme, which will run until 2022, will provide more than five million hours of fun football to over 500,000 children across the UK over the next three years. The programme will help them learn about football, develop confidence, have fun and inspire a lifelong love of the game.
On a broader level, the initiative will also help support accredited grassroots clubs and their volunteers, helping to raise the standards of grassroots football across the UK and improving the grassroots experience for young, aspiring footballers. Don’t miss out on those free Fun Football sessions – give your children the opportunity to learn from expert and fully qualified coaches at one of over 200 locations across the UK. Visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball or search McDonald’s Fun Football to register and find out more.