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Learn more: https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/football.html
In an inspiring move towards fostering diversity and skill development in grassroots football coaching, McDonald's Fun Football and Kick It Out have joined forces to introduce a pioneering coaching development platform and bursary fund. NexxtGen Football proudly supports such initiatives that strive to elevate the standards of equality, diversity, and inclusion in football across the UK.
This unprecedented three-year partnership aims to make McDonald’s Fun Football the epitome of inclusivity in the UK's football landscape. Leveraging Kick It Out’s extensive network and expertise, the initiative seeks to reach passionate groups currently facing barriers to coaching due to costly courses or a lack of opportunities and knowledge.
Steve Halls, Technical Director at NexxtGen Football, expressed his thoughts on the collaboration, stating, "NexxtGen Football fully supports and commends McDonald’s Fun Football and Kick It Out for this groundbreaking initiative. It aligns with our vision of creating a more inclusive and diverse football community, starting from the grassroots level. We believe in the power of such partnerships to transform the landscape of football coaching and provide equitable opportunities for all."
Grassroots football coaching has historically grappled with underinvestment, but this collaboration promises to drive positive change. The new course, designed in partnership with Kick It Out, aims to equip coaches with the tools to address unconscious bias, champion inclusivity, and provide essential support for coaching players from minority backgrounds.
More than 150 McDonald’s Fun Football coaches will have early access to the online course, with plans to make it available publicly via Kick It Out’s digital channels for those with a Level One qualification and above.
In addition to the coaching course, McDonald’s & Kick It Out are launching a coaching bursary to financially support aspiring coaches. The focus is on diversifying the coaching workforce and increasing the number of women coaches in the sport, ensuring that the grassroots football coaching network mirrors the diversity of communities across the UK.
Applications for the bursary will be available through Kick It Out’s Raise Your Game platform, where a Kick It Out funding panel will meticulously review each case to determine successful applicants.
Andrew Moys, Vice President Impact and Communications, McDonald’s UK and Ireland, remarked, "Our goal is to ensure the McDonald’s Fun Football programme is not only the largest but the most inclusive free football programme in the UK. Partnering with an organization like Kick It Out will enable our coaches to create meaningful change in their weekly sessions, and we are excited about the impact that this partnership will have on grassroots football coaching in the UK over the next few years."
Hollie Varney, Kick It Out’s Chief Operating Officer, shared her sentiments, saying, “Together, we have big ambitions for grassroots football over the next three years, and we are excited to get started.”
In 2023, over 300,000 children enjoyed access to free McDonald’s Fun Football sessions held in over 1,500 locations, with plans to expand in 2024. NexxtGen Football applauds this initiative for providing communities with unprecedented access to free football coaching, fostering a love for the game among the next generation.
Best wishes,
Steve Halls
NexxtGen Football
