An exciting new programme from Sport England, funded by the National Lottery, and delivered by the Football Foundation will support Liverpool City Region get more active.

Active Through Football is providing Liverpool County FA the funding to increase participation in football. Liverpool County FA and its consortium partners went through a competitive process to secure the funding which was open to applications from communities who face some of the greatest inequalities to being physically active. 

The Liverpool City Region project will be the only Active Through Football programme that will have a multi Local Authority consortium that will work together to get people active. The consortia is made up of Liverpool County FA, Merseyside Sport Partnership, Halton Borough Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Liverpool City Council, Sefton Metropolitan Council, St Helens Borough Council, LFC Foundation, Everton in the Community and The Life Rooms.

The project will work within specific areas within each Local Authority and we will work with local community groups to ensure the sessions are appropriate and accessible to each area. The project will offer a variety of sessions in each area, that will engage adult participants, including Just Play, walking football and female only sessions.

Tony Smith, Football Development Manager at Liverpool County FA said: “We are delighted to be working together with our partners to deliver this exciting new project across the Liverpool City Region. We have always been aware of the wider societal benefits football brings to communities and by us working together this project will allow us to demonstrate that. This gives us a great opportunity to further strengthen our links with our partners and really get closer to community groups in our area and transform lives through the physical, mental and social rewards of an active lifestyle”

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, said: “There is a reason why football is followed and played by so many the world over. It brings people together and helps build connections in communities. It’s also the sport that is played the most in England and has a reach into places where our research shows activity levels are lower. 

“Sport England is proud to be one of the funding partners helping to tackle these inequalities and to support more people from a variety of backgrounds to enjoy playing football and all the benefits that brings.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This grant award to Liverpool County FA is fantastic news for the local community in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and St Helens. Football is a game for everyone - regardless of their background - and it’s only right that people across all walks of life are able to play the nation’s favourite game.

“Over the past 21 years, we have been working with local authorities up and down the country to ensure everyone has access to high quality pitches. 

“Thanks to Sport England National Lottery Investment, this new project will help to transform people’s lives by developing a variety of football sessions in the area, unlocking the many benefits of football for the community.”

Thanks to this new investment, we are now recruiting for a Project Manager to run the Active Through Football programme across the area. Click the button below for more details.

ACTIVE THROUGH FOOTBALL PROJECT MANAGER REQUIRED

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 30th March.