Bloomsbury Football is raising funds to ensure that every child has the opportunity to play football irrespective of their ability to pay.
In 2021, our aim is to double the number of young people who take part in our programmes to 5,000. By the end of the season, we want to expand our bursary pool so 75% of the children we impact receive financial assistance. Given the financial implications of COVID, providing more bursary funding will be essential in maintaining activity amongst our children.
Our goals, which your funding will help us achieve, are:
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To provide an expanded Open Sessions Programme – increasing from 3 to 10 per week (150 hours a year, to 500 hours a year), enabling us to provide free sessions to an additional 1000 children, from London’s most deprived areas.
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To double our weekly girls sessions from 5-10 and develop 3 competitive girls teams. This will enable us to reach an additional 200 girls who may not have felt confident enough to engage in sport previously.
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To provide more partial and full bursary places to those most in need of financial support (currently provided to 60% of families). This will help maintain existing children whose families have suffered economically as a result of COVID, and also provide the opportunity for new children to join, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
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To expand our academy by providing more ‘Academy Scholarships’ (each worth £1800), to talented individuals who cannot afford our fees. These individuals will have free access to our elite academy programme which involves three training sessions a week, up to two matches, individual development plans, strength and conditioning, nutrition advice, and virtual one-to-one coaching.
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To increase the number of Foundation Football sessions from 7 to 10 per week (350 hours a year, to 400 hours a year) which will enable us to reach an additional 200 children.
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To provide morning/lunch/after school sessions, which are free at the point of engagement, to 10 more state schools. This will enable us to reach up to 1000 additional children.
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To hire two new venues which will enable us to provide our service to an additional 300 children.
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And finally, to double the funds available in our Reboot scheme (recycling old football boots), and kit subsidising budget. These efforts will eliminate another barrier to football – the affordability of equipment.
A comprehensive, ambitious, determined plans of expansion, which can only be achieved through your generous donations. We want to continue to ensure that more children and young people have the opportunities to improve their mental and physical health, develop important skills and remain active – regardless of their financial circumstances.
At Bloomsbury Football we’re committed to going above and beyond for our players, parents, colleagues, clients and partners. That’s why our coaching team is pledging to run 100km in 1 day, to raise money towards our £30K challenge. The Bloomsbury Football staff are going to take on a 100km stadium challenge, running between every football stadium in London, targeting completion in under 10 hours. 17 staff members will take on various distances to complete the 100-mile route. The date for this will be confirmed in due course but is expected to be completed in late February.
Our very own Under 10s Academy Player Troy was the inspiration behind this fundraiser, having raised over £600 during the November lockdown for his teammates, all through his own initiative, running 2 miles every day for 30 days. An incredible gesture that’s inspired over 90 people to donate or fundraise towards our goal of £30,000.
From staff challenges to individual ones, the Bloomsbury Football Family is coming together to provide for those who are less fortunate and eradicate financial barriers, once again displaying the power the sport of football exudes.
We end this battle rhythm with a rally cry: all we need is the missing ingredient, you! Help us ensure that every child has the opportunity to play football, irrespective of their ability to pay, be a part of something significantly superb and donate here.