Wolves Foundation have launched a new project aimed at increasing access to free recreational football for adults across the city - and supporting grass roots clubs with their off-field operations.
‘Kick Off’ will be delivered thanks to funding from the Premier League & PFA Community Fund and will aim to create opportunities for more adults to be able to play football at facilities which are close to home.
The project will be overseen by Nikki Lal, who has been involved with the Foundation for almost a decade and has now been appointed as senior grassroots football officer.
“Kick Off is a new project where Wolves Foundation are aiming to ensure adults have access to free recreational football across Wolverhampton, with the overall goal of having something available within a mile of anyone’s home,” she says.
“So, it involves a lot of mapping and scoping out and also making sure we work alongside other Foundation projects and the other physical activities set up in different parts of the city.
“It’s about getting out into parts of the city where there is less physical activity available, or people don’t have access to it, and removing barriers to that activity.
“We all know how important exercise is for both physical and mental health and Kick Off is designed to offer fun and informal recreational football, with small-sided games and matches.”
There are already different groups set up for Kick Off sessions, including Women’s Football and Walking Football, and plans for more including focusing on Care Leavers and the LGBTQ+ community.
Kick Off also contains the provision of offering bespoke support to grass roots clubs across areas including CPD (continuous professional development) on topics such as managing parent behaviour and volunteer management.
“We are already talking to several grass roots clubs to see if they need any support with any of their operations off the pitch,” adds Nikki.
“Many are in a really good position and have so much already in place but, for those that aren’t, Kick Off can help by providing advice and guidance.”
For Nikki herself, who used to play for Wolves Women and WBA Women after starting out in grassroots football with Bustleholme, the new role offers an exciting challenge.
“I’ve been involved with the Foundation since starting work as a casual coach when I was 16, after which I went on to complete the degree course,” she adds.
“I’ve been a full-time member of staff for nearly five years, involved in many different projects including Step Together, NCS (National Citizen Service) and working in schools.
“Kick Off is a really exciting initiative to help the community become more physically active and it’s another one I am really looking forward to.”
If you would like to get involved in one of our sessions or are part of a local grassroots club that is interested in finding out more, contact Nikki on NikkiLal@wolves.co.uk
Want to share your views and help shape our community insight? Please click here to complete an engagement form to be in with a chance of winning two tickets to a Wolves home fixture.
Current sessions are outlined below:
- Mondays: 4pm-5pm: Foundation Arena: Walking Football
- Mondays: 6pm-7pm: City of Wolverhampton College: Women’s Football.
- Tuesdays: 5.30pm-6.45pm: Foundation Arena: Walking Football
- Thursdays: 7pm-8pm: Foundation Arena: Women’s Football
- Thursdays: 8pm-9pm: Foundation Arena: Adult Football (over 18s)
Coming soon (From week beginning 17th March):
- Mondays: 6pm-7pm: Royal School: Men’s Football (over 30s)
- Mondays: 8pm-9pm: Khalsa Academy: Adult Football (over 18s)
- Wednesdays: 4pm-5pm: Bert Williams Centre: Walking Football
