Howdens Kitchens has launched a £3m partnership with The FA through England Football to improve clubhouse facilities across grassroots football clubs up and down the country. Howdens’ Game Changer Programme in partnership with England Football will see the kitchen company aim to fund £3m worth of kitchens over three years for England Football Accredited grassroots clubs.
Howdens CEO Andrew Livingston said: “There is quite rightly a lot of attention on grassroots football and what happens on the pitch. We feel that the off-pitch facilities are very important too, because clubhouses are the hub of the community, they’re the place for teas and coffees for the taxi of mum and dad, where the frozen wet feet of the army of volunteers dry off, and when the post-match discussion starts. If kitchens are the heart of our homes, then kitchens should be the heart of community grassroots football too."
James Kendall, director of football development at The FA, said: “We have around 18,000 grassroots football clubs across the country and they are the cornerstone of our national game. A key part of our grassroots strategy is our commitment to strengthen every aspect of local clubs, particularly facilities which play such a crucial role in providing the right environment to play and gather. We’re really delighted to be working in partnership with Howdens on this unique Game Changer programme. By providing new kitchens at clubs which are most in need, we aim to help them grow and thrive and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of their players, volunteers, supporters, and the wider community.”
To help launch the programme, football legends Jill Scott, MBE and Chris Kamara, MBE, pictured, lent their support, driving home the importance of grassroots football and clubhouse facilities on their own careers.
Howdens will work with The FA to support and fund the kitchens, and together they will help connect eligible clubs with local tradespeople, for the fit, via its 800 depots across the country.
