Football Week promotes joy of ‘just playing’

13 Jul Football Week promotes joy of ‘just playing’

National Children’s Football Week runs from today until July 26, giving children the chance to ‘just play’ and building on the recent success of England’s Lionesses and disability teams.

Organised by the National Children’s Football Alliance, the programme of events will incorporate the Football & Peace project, which celebrates and reflects on the most famous ad hoc game of all time – the Christmas Truce match between British and German soldiers in 1914.

To recreate that spirit a century on, the theme is FREE v FREE with the NCFA encouraging parents, teachers and friends to support the children’s game by holding their own fun kickabouts free from the constraints of league points and football politics.

Established in 2008 to enhance children’s development, the NCFA’s core aim is to promote and advance children’s right to engage in football play appropriate to their age and needs through fun workshops.

Paul Cooper, the NCFA’s national projects director, said: “We often hear about the need to increase grass roots participation in this country to keep children active and healthy to combat the growing obesity crisis.

“However, many children have been priced out of playing the game as joining a club can be expensive and even then there is no guarantee that they will even get to play for a team. Many families have also been priced out of watching live football.”

Scheduled FREE v FREE events include:

– Kickabout at Simonswood Lane, Northwood, Kirkby, Merseyside on Sunday, July 19 between 10am and 2pm comprising ten teams of under nines. The youngsters will be given participation medals and Fair Play awards, which will be presented by war veterans. Jumpers will be used as goalposts, there will be no substitutes and players will referee their own games;

– A Pan Disability event aimed at disabled children who have not had the opportunity to enjoy football before will be held at Powerleague Wembley in London on Saturday, July 25 between 10.30am and 1pm;

– Turn Up & Play all ages kickabout in Lloyd Park, Coombe Road, Croydon on Tuesday, July 21 between 2pm and 4pm.