MEET CHARLIE
This is Charlie, our founder. He’s a lifelong Arsenal fan, North London born and bred.
Charlie still remembers the excitement of visiting Highbury for the first time. The atmosphere, the sounds, the togetherness of the crowd – he’s been hooked ever since.
THE POWER OF FOOTBALL
Charlie shared his love of the game with kids through coaching. He saw first-hand the positive difference playing football was making for his players.
They became not only physically healthier, but were making new friends and becoming more confident and happier – all by playing football regularly.
But, Charlie saw a problem.
UNEQUAL ACCESS
The fact was that not everyone could get onto the football pitch: the growing cost of kit and coaching, the lack of weather resilient facilities and poorly organised sessions proved to be real access barriers.
Against the backdrop of a growing number of challenges for young people in the capital, like obesity, mental health problems and increased social isolation, Charlie understood that kids could only become happier and healthier if those access barriers to playing regularly were removed.
BREAKING BARRIERS TOGETHER
With these thoughts front of mind Charlie bumped into Dan and Mark, parents of players on his team, in a coffee shop in 2018. Sharing his thoughts about the increasingly inaccessible nature of football, Dan and Mark knew something had to be done.
That’s when Bloomsbury Football was born. It had a simple aim: to make football accessible and affordable for every young person in London.
FROM FOUR PLAYERS …
Charlie coached the first ever Bloomsbury Football session himself, on a pitch in Camden Town. Four players attended – two paid for the session, and two didn’t. That was all that was needed to cover the costs.
The ethos that no player will be turned away from our sessions for financial reasons has remained ever since.
… TO OVER FIVE THOUSAND
Bloomsbury Football has grown a lot since that first session. Now, we run sessions across eight London boroughs and are immensely proud to coach over 5,500 boys and girls every single week.
Every single one of those players is able to apply for financial support, meaning 25-100% discounts off our programmes – part of our commitment to make football accessible for everyone.