McDonald’s has extended its free national football programme for children.
The Fun Football scheme, designed for five to 11-year-olds, will now run for another four years across the UK.
The scheme aims to reach children who might otherwise face barriers to participation, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with additional needs.
Andrew Moys, vice president of impact at McDonald’s, said: "For more than 20 years, we’ve been incredibly proud to stand alongside the grassroots football community.
"We’ve seen the difference football can make to children, families and communities, and we know how important it is to keep creating opportunities for people to get involved.
"Our next four years are about building on that legacy – not simply celebrating what we’ve achieved but using what we’ve learned to make an even greater difference.
"We want more children to have the chance to discover football, more communities to feel included and more of the people behind the grassroots game to feel supported.
"Because the legacy we care about most is the one we leave for the next generation."
When do Fun Football sessions take place?
The sessions, which take place on Saturdays or Sundays depending on location, are completely free of charge.
McDonald’s has supported grassroots football for more than two decades, helping to develop clubs, coaches, and volunteers while introducing children to the sport in a fun, supportive environment.
The Fun Football programme encourages play, friendship, and confidence-building regardless of experience or ability.
In its next phase, the programme will focus on reaching children in areas with the greatest need for free sporting opportunities, including some of the UK’s most deprived communities.
It will also continue to support the coaches and volunteers who keep grassroots football running, building on McDonald’s investment in training, equipment, and qualifications.
The company will work with British Blind Sport, UK Deaf Sport, Access Sport, and the football associations of Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland to deliver the expanded scheme.
McDonald’s has pledged to increase its Additional Needs and Inclusion sessions by 235 per cent over the next four years, working with partners to create tailored opportunities for blind, partially sighted, and deaf children.
Over the past four years alone, the programme has delivered millions of hours of free football, as part of McDonald’s wider 20-plus-year support for the grassroots game.
Parents can find their nearest Fun Football session by visiting McDonald’s Fun Football website or by following @FunFootballUK on social media.
Have you made use of the Fun Football sessions previously? Let us know in the comments.
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