Gloucester City AFC is making significant strides in providing football opportunities for young children in deprived communities, thanks to a generous grant from the Trident Community Foundation (TCF).
As promotion contenders in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South, the Tigers are among the latest clubs to receive TCF funding, which awards grants ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 to Steps 3 and 4 non-League football clubs dedicated to developing community projects.
The club is now extending the reach of its ‘Kickabout’ sessions—designed for children aged four to 11—into local community green spaces beyond their original location in Kingsholm. This expansion aims to bring football directly into neighborhoods that previously had limited access to organised sport.
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Since December 2020, the Trident Community Foundation has distributed over £600,000 to support nearly 200 community initiatives nationwide, enabling clubs like Gloucester City to deepen their grassroots impact.
Matthew Phillips, director of the Gloucester City Foundation, explained how this increased funding transforms their community engagement efforts. “The funding means we can go into communities instead of expecting them to come to us,” he said. “This programme gives us a presence in parts of Gloucester where organised sport outside school is otherwise virtually non-existent.”
Phillips highlighted that for many children, participation in the Kingsholm sessions was their first experience of organised sport beyond school. Challenges such as travel and equipment costs often prevent ongoing involvement, which the new community-based approach helps to overcome. “Bringing sessions to local green spaces restores a sense of ownership and pride in those neighborhoods,” he said.
The programme’s straightforward concept resonates deeply with children, parents, and residents alike. “What the club has realised is that young people simply want the chance to play,” Phillips shared. “Many don’t necessarily dream of becoming professional footballers. They want a welcoming environment to enjoy football with friends.”
Additionally, the club recruits coaches from within these communities, offering an employability pathway through training and qualifications, further enriching the project’s social impact.
Phillips emphasised how this simplicity is the programme’s greatest strength. “Kids just want to turn up and have fun, but it also brings parents and carers together, helping them form friendships and feel part of a supportive community,” he said. “It’s about creating a team spirit that extends beyond the pitch.”