The Fund was launched in 2023 with Sky Bet committing a £6m investment over six years.
Sky Bet and the EFL’s Building Foundations Fund has awarded community schemes across England and Wales more than £600,000-worth of funding under its first set of grants.
Vital financial support will flow to projects linked to more than 60 EFL clubs, ranging from programmes to tackle isolation and loneliness, to improving fitness and mental health, increasing participation in sports or to invest in better football facilities for the local area.
The Building Foundations Fund was launched last year with Sky Bet committing to invest a bumper £6 million over six years as part of its record title partner extension with the EFL. A panel including talkSPORT Breakfast Show host and Sky Bet ambassador Jeff Stelling assess the bids.
To kick-start the fund in 2023-2024, each EFL Club Community Organisation (CCOs) was given access to an initial £10,000 to invest in ongoing programmes or to develop new community initiatives.
The funding forms part of the Do More pillar of Flutter Entertainment’s global sustainability strategy – the Positive Impact Plan. Do More outlines Flutter’s commitment to give back to the communities where we live, work and play, with the aim to improve the lives of 10 million people by 2030.
Under the awards announced today, Leeds United will put more funding into its ‘Social Goals’ programme to tackle isolation among the over 50s, Morecambe will purchase equipment to run health and fitness sessions for local communities and Wycombe Wanderers will finance a Level 1 coaching course aimed at upskilling and reintegrating prisoners from Aylesbury Prison back into society.
Securing the funding will enable Sunderland to continue its ‘Wear Together’ project designed to increase levels of activity in over 55s, meanwhile Crewe Alexandra will increase weekly football sessions hosted at the club for East European migrants and Africa asylum seekers.
First agreed in 2013, the partnership represents one of the longest and most significant in professional sport. The partnership is built around safer gambling and delivering joint objectives in a socially responsible way.
Debbie Cook, EFL Director of Community, said: “The funding provided from Sky Bet not only enhances the outstanding work already undertaken by our Clubs in the community, but creates a legacy that will last for years to come. This commitment from Sky Bet shines a light on the breadth and depth of the work football is involved in across all of our communities and tells the powerful stories of the local community members who benefit from these initiatives and programmes.”
At the launch of the Fund in November, former Leicester City, Liverpool and England star Emile Heskey joined EFL chair Rick Parry to highlight the success of a walking football programme in Barnsley.
Blackburn Rovers was the first to receive its £10,000 and has put it towards a ‘Remember the Rovers’ programme which holds weekly sessions at Ewood Park to bring people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia together. Club icon Tony Parkes, a former player and manager, is a regular at the sessions.
Dan Colton, Managing Director of Sky Bet, said: “You only have to see the success of the programmes like ‘Remember the Rovers’ in Blackburn to realise the impact the Building Foundation Fund has and will continue to have over the coming years. We’re incredibly proud of the Building Foundation Fund and our work with the clubs across the EFL to breathe new life into the community projects they run.”
The EFL and Sky Bet agreed a record extension last year that saw the sports betting brand continue as the League title partner until the end of the 2028-2029 season.
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About the EFL
The EFL (English Football League) is the world’s original league football competition. It is the largest single body of professional clubs in European football and is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy, as well as reserve and youth football. The EFL, EFL Trust and our member clubs are at the heart of communities across the country, providing shared experiences for all and using the power of sport to improve lives.
About Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund
The Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund (BFF) has been established as part of the new title rights extension agreed between the EFL and Sky Bet earlier this year. A panel of experts from the EFL, Sky Bet and the EFL Trust will select bids from the 72 CCOs against eligibility criteria each season with £1 million allocated to the BFF in each of the six seasons covered by the agreement. For season one – 2023/24 – the Fund made an initial £10,000 available to every club with the residual amount awarded on a competitive basis. In each of the following seasons, club CCOs will be able to bid for funding – with grants ranging in size from £5,000 to £100,000. Successful applicants will have to target activity towards programmes that engage with adults (over 18s).
BUILDLING FOUNDATIONS FUND CASE STUDIES
Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra in the Community provides weekly football sessions for under-represented and disadvantaged participants, including those who are homeless or seeking asylum. The £10,000 grant received from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund will allow Crewe to expand the initiative to two sessions a week.
Community Manager Ray Walker (left) said: “The team spirit and camaraderie you get from being part of a group is something we know is important, and it’s pleasing to see the confidence of some of our members growing as the weeks go on. It’s surprising how many people are out there who need the help, but it’s great to see them coming along and enjoying themselves.”
Colchester United
The Colchester United Community Foundation (CUCF) started running a free to access weekly pan-disability football session for adults aged 18+ in summer 2023, and it has since engaged over 30 adults with disabilities in physical activity.
The £10,000 grant from the Sky Bet EFL Foundations Fund will support CUFC in continuing the football programme in 2024 and send four of their coaches on a UEFA C course, enabling them to lead sessions independently.
Head of Health and Inclusion at Colchester United Community Foundation, Ed King said: “The adult pan-disability programme came about because we had feedback from the community that there was a lot of activities in the area for people under 16, but after that there isn’t much out there.
“This gave us a chance to create an inclusive environment for adults with physical or mental disabilities and we are delighted that through the Building Foundations funding we can continue for another year.”
Programme Participant, Chris Eldred said: “The sessions have a real good buzz about them and hearing the funding has been extended is a great relief. I know a lot of us rely on these sessions not only for our physical health but to have a real positive impact on our mental health. Meeting the players is just a cherry on top as they are always so nice and approachable”.
Lincoln City
Lincoln City Foundation is looking to grow a weekly drop-in session, ‘The Extra Time Hub’, aimed at fostering social and community impact among older individuals, with a particular focus on veterans.
The £10,000 grant from Sky Bet EFL Foundations Fund will provide funds for comprehensive staff training to ensure The Extra Time Hub coaches have the necessary skills to address the diverse needs of its participants. It will also be used on equipment to create a safe and accommodating environment.
CEO of the Lincoln City Foundation, Martin Hickerton said: “The programme has a positive impact. A lot of people come along to these sessions each week to socialise, develop their fitness and it really brings the community together.
“People have even said to us it’s the only thing they’ll come to. Particularly after COVID, the older generation were worried about coming out, but the football club was deemed a safe space for them. It’s provided a real lifeline.”
My Club Participant, Joyce Rimmer said: “It’s a game and people enjoy playing, but it’s the socialising too. People enjoy coming and meeting up. I would really miss it if the programme didn’t exist, as long as I can come and enjoy people’s company, I will continue going. “
Sunderland
Sunderland AFC’s Foundation of Light runs the ‘Wear Together’ project that seeks to increase levels of activity in over 55’s and provides access to positive, participant-led activities that foster new social connections.
The £10,000 grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund will enable Foundation of Light to continue the Wear Together programme into 2024.
Health and Wellbeing Manager at The Foundation of Light, Jade Gilbertson said: “It’s lovely to see some of the friendships and the connections that have come from the Wear Together programme. Many people came out of COVID feeling quite isolated or wanting to meet new people and it’s great to see we can support people in doing that.
“The £10,000 grant will help support us in delivering the programme. It has been running for quite a few years now, and it we have up to 40-50 people coming on a weekly basis. Having the funding to continue that and expand it further will open new opportunities for us and the participants.”
Wear Together Participant, Wendy Warrington said: “The Wear Together programme encourages your fitness, it encourages you to engage with other people and it’s a great social setting.
“It’s had a massive positive impact, because prior to coming here I never used to leave the house much with COVID and coming to terms with my mobility. It’s helped my confidence and fitness; I probably wouldn’t have engaged with anything like this before.”
Accrington Stanley – Improving a 3G pitch used by thousands of people in the local community.
AFC Wimbledon - The expansion of a walking football programme for older adults.
Plymouth Argyle – Development of Brickfields Leisure Centre into a Community Hub to help provide benefits to locals.
Birmingham City - Bespoke football outreach programme for young adults at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training).
Blackburn Rovers - Remember the Rovers, a project designed to reduce social isolation and increase wellbeing for the over 50’s.
Bolton Wanderers - Improvement of a local hub used to deliver activities and projects that engage the local community.
Bradford City - Two free, one hour exercise classes weekly for male and female participants in ethnic minority groups.
Bristol Rovers - Extra Time Programme based around social and physical interaction for over 60’s.
Burton Albion – Community programme for adults with disabilities within East Staffordshire to improve social connectedness.
Cambridge United – Investment in adult disability sessions and coaching costs.
Carlisle United – Weekly football sessions to help the community manage stress, build resilience and cope with pressure.
Colchester United – Football programme to provide adults with mental or physical disabilities the opportunity to take part in free weekly sessions.
Coventry City - Facility hire, staffing and equipment for local football programme.
Crawley Town – Improving facilities used for women & girls’ recreational football, walking football, soccer schools and more.
Crewe Alexandra – Football sessions for underrepresented groups and walking football sessions for older adults.
Derby County – Adult pan-disability football sessions for the local community.
Doncaster Rovers – Three weekly football sessions for adults with a disability.
Grimsby Town - Expanding football talent centre, offering quality coaching sessions for the local community.
Harrogate Town - Walking football and coaching sessions encouraging local Muslim communities to engage in sport.
Huddersfield Town - Two weekly walking football groups, aimed at increasing physical, mental, and social wellbeing amongst older adults in Kirklees.
Hull City - Walking football and social opportunities for people experiencing isolation or loneliness.
Leeds United - Social interaction and exercise session for the over 50s at Elland Road.
Leyton Orient - Health and wellbeing café that will target the Leyton Orient fanbase and local inactive people aged 50+.
Lincoln City – Walking football and physical activity opportunities for older members of society.
Mansfield Town – Two walking football sessions a week for adults looking to reengage with sport and physical activity.
Middlesbrough – Walking football programme for inactive populations across Tees Valley.
Millwall - Football programme that supports and re-engages ex-military service men and women back into civilian life.
MK Dons - Football programmes that reduce loneliness and increase minority participation in football.
Morecambe - Health and fitness sessions at the Mazuma Stadium.
Newport County – Walking football programme that encourages older adults to be more active.
Northampton Town - Football programme that promotes physical activity and reduces loneliness.
Norwich City - ‘My Club’ programme that inspires fans to get active and learn new skills.
Notts County - LED lighting for a local sports centre that has football, swimming and other activities.
Oxford United – Increased provision of social inclusion football sessions, new equipment and training kit.
Peterborough United - Staff costing for their disability football programme.
Portsmouth - Funding for new community hub that has football pitches, disability programme and dance studio.
Port Vale - Improving infrastructure that supports the delivery and expansion of a local football programme.
QPR - Football sessions for female refugees and over 65’s who want to stay active.
Reading - Development programmes for local coaches working in grassroots football.
Rotherham United - Renovating local football facilities.
Salford City (Foundation 92) – Football programme for 18-30-year-olds who are ‘hidden homeless’ or at risk of becoming homeless.
Sheffield Wednesday – Investment in walking football sessions for over 50’s.
Shrewsbury Town - Football programmes for refugees, women, men over 40 and adults with disabilities.
Southampton - Walking, group exercise and sport sessions for over 60’s.
Stevenage - ‘Boro Bygones’, a reminiscence programme for people living with mild to moderate dementia.
Stockport County - Coaching, venue hire and management costs for a community walking football programme.
Stoke City – Support programmes for individuals on prison licence who are at risk of reoffending.
Sunderland - ‘Wear Together’ programme that increases the level of activity in over 55’s in the local community.
Sutton United - Coaching, equipment and improving facilities to encourage more adults with disabilities to play football.
Swindon Town - Minibus for adult mental health, learning disability and elderly support teams.
Tranmere Rovers - Deep cleaning and pitch marking for local Recreation Centre.
Walsall - Football programme for unemployed residents in Walsall who have fallen into a sedentary lifestyle.
Watford - Walking football programme for over 65’s in the local community.
West Brom – High quality coaching for The Albion’s four Pan Adult Disability teams.
Wigan Athletic - Football programme that offers weekly sessions to adults with a disability.
Wycombe Wanderers - Coaching courses for prisoners reintegrating into society, and seated fitness programme for over 60’s.
