New project aims to get Southampton Active Through Football
Saints Foundation will work with local partners to deliver a new National Lottery funded project, designed to boost activity levels in the SO14 area.
Active Through Football will kick off in Southampton in 2022 and run for five years, with open access 'turn up and play' football sessions to be delivered in a number of community spaces across SO14. The exciting new programme from Sport England, funded by the National Lottery and in partnership with the Football Foundation, will support targeted communities with getting more active.
We're delighted to be leading a consortium of key city partners in delivering the new project. We've worked in partnership with Southampton City Council, Energise Me, Southampton Voluntary Services (SVS) and Hampshire FA to secure competitive National Lottery funding of over £450,000 from the Football Foundation and Sport England.
Community engagement influenced the funding bid and the consortium will use Active Through Football to create accessible opportunities that will improve the health and wellbeing of people in the local area.
Greg Baker, Head of Saints Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be working together with city partners to deliver this exciting new project in the heart of Southampton.
“Thanks to Sport England National Lottery Investment, this project will transform lives by unlocking the many health benefits of football for our community. The physical, mental and social rewards of an active lifestyle active are huge and we’re excited for Active Through Football to open up the nation’s favourite sport to people across the city.”
Jason Murphy, Stronger Communities Manager at Southampton City Council, said: “We are proud to be part of such an exciting and innovative project that for the first time will connect the aspirations of residents in SO14 with the vitality and vibrance of the Saints – a club so many know and love.
“For Stronger Communities, the opportunity to work collaboratively through this bid alongside colleagues at Saints Foundation and other local partners means we can do so much more to address the issues that affect this community.”
Sophie Burton, Strategic Lead – Insight & Workforce at Energise Me, said: “Energise Me are proud and excited to be working with local people to deliver the Active Through Football Project.
“Community engagement sits at the heart of this work and will be key to the project’s success. Empowering and working alongside the community will ensure sustainability and a positive activity legacy.”
The Active Through Football project will begin delivering in Southampton in early 2022.
