Free football for beginners

Parents across Wales are invited to sign up for one of 71 McDonald’s Free Fun Football sessions, designed to introduce thousands of children to football for the first time.

In Montgomeryshire, around 80 spaces are available on a first come, first served basis thanks to Newtown White Stars.

The sessions are for 7-11 year olds and take place at Newtown AFC on Friday evenings:

·         Friday April 19th

·         Friday April 26th

·         Friday May 3rd

·         Friday May 10th

Across Wales, around 1400 children can enjoy a free introduction to the nation’s favourite game regardless of gender or disability.

The sessions run throughout April and May and parents are asked to visit www.funfootball.cymru  to find their nearest sessions.  

The Fun Football sessions are part of the new four-year deal between McDonald’s and the FAW, which together with the English, Northern Irish and Scottish FAs, will see the restaurant company provide over 5 million hours of football to children by 2022.

Through these Fun Football Providers, over 500,000 children will have the chance to play football for the first time in 2019. The Fun Football curriculum will include introductory drills perfect for children with no footballing experience, helping them develop their all-round skills.

McDonald’s CEO, UK and Ireland, Paul Pomroy said, “As a proud dad of two football mad children, I know how important it is to encourage a lifelong love of sport and an active lifestyle. Through our Fun Football programme we want to provide over 5 million hours of football for children, introducing more than half a million new players to the game by 2022.”

Neil Ward – CEO of the FAW Trust, the charitable arm of the FAW which is responsible for grassroots football across Wales – explained:

“We want children all across Wales to fall in love with football. The Fun Football sessions are a great opportunity to get started in the game and we are thrilled that these are offered free of charge – a huge help to parents. Children will be introduced to skills and drills in a fun and safe environment.”

There will also be a Fun Football Activity Book enabling those children aged 5-8 to chart their progress with a series of stickers and creative games available to order from the McDonald’s Fun Football website.

McDonald’s is the longest-standing supporter of grassroots football in Wales and the development of the Fun Football programme is another important step in building on this ongoing partnership.

Visit www.funfootball.cymru  to find your nearest sessions.