McDonald’s set to deliver free football coaching to thousands of Greater Manchester kids
McDonald’s UK is set to deliver over 1.2 million hours of free football coaching to over half a million kids around the country as their ‘Fun Football’ programme returns for 2024, including thousands from all over Manchester.
The global fast food chain is bringing back its successful and crucially accessible football coaching campaign to Greater Manchester this spring, and they’ve also had some England stars helping them spread the word.
With Three Lions and Real Madrid Jude Bellingham star getting on board alongside Lionesses hero and Arsenal forward Beth Mead as Fun Football ambassadors, the scheme is hoping to reach more underprivileged areas than ever and give a reminder that the beautiful game is for everyone.
McDonald’s will be providing numerous free football coaching sessions carried out by FA-qualified coaches in over 1,500 locations across the UK, with plenty taking place right here in 0161. Wonderful.
Sadly, research shows that over half (56%) of children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are inactive due to the associated costs that surround attending sports activities. This is where big brands embroiled in the community come in.
First set up back in 2018, Maccies’ Fun Football programme has adjusted its centre locations to ensure it can offer over 80% of lower-socio urban areas easy access to the scheme and delivered over five million hours of free football coaching across the nation in the first five years.
In addition, Pan-Disability and Visual Impairment sessions are also set to be offered once again to families up and down the country, as roughly a third of disabled children are said to be currently missing out on the benefits of sport.
Led by BBC Children in Need and Sporting People, Bellingham and Mead are by no means the first pro footballers to get involved in the wholesome initiative, with the likes of former Blue Micah Richards and current Man City star Jack Grealish getting involved in past years.
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More than 100 dedicated coaches were trained up as part of the partnership in 2023, with bespoke modules created with British Blind Sport, Kick It Out and England Futsal in mind.
The aim is to ensure Fun Football coaches can welcome any child and adapt sessions accordingly, as well as offer a physical and educational outlet to as many kids as possible.
Children aged 5-11 can take part in sessions starting from Saturday, 6 April until Sunday, 14 July all over the region and the UK, and kids of all abilities are being encouraged to give it a try.
To learn more about where in Greater Manchester they’re taking place and when, click HERE.
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Featured Images — Supplied