Press Release Millwall Community Trust joins thirteen professional clubs to get girls active across the capital Millwall Community Trust has joined thirteen professional football clubs to tackle physical inactivity of girls in disadvantaged areas across London. Funded by The London Marathon Charitable Trust (The Trust), Millwall will join the likes of Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea to encourage 5,000 inactive girls and young women to participate in football and physical activity sessions. The London Marathon Charitable Trust have awarded £820,000 to London United, a conglomerate of fourteen professional football clubs that tackles social challenges in the capital. With rising levels of youth violence increasingly affecting girls and young women, the project – called Kicks Girls – aims to offer a safe space for teenagers to enjoy sport. Along with physical activity sessions, the project will also offer a series of educational workshops and qualifications for teenage girls living in London. Sean Daly, Chief Executive officer of the Millwall Community Trust and member of London United, said : “London United’s fourteen professional football clubs are delighted to be collaborating with The Trust to use the power of the beautiful game to get more girls and women physically active. This applies regardless of fitness levels, age, disability – it’s a sport that all can get involved in – from recreational, grassroots, through to professional.” Sarah Ridley, Chief Grants Officer of The London Marathon Charitable Trust, said: “We are delighted to have awarded £820,000 towards this terrific project, which is synonymous with The Trust’s vision to inspire activity. Our mission is to enable people to become and remain physically active regardless of gender or background. We’re passionate about getting more women involved in a wide range of physical activity and look forward to seeing the positive impact this programme will have on girls across London over the coming years.” With a multitude of Premier League and EFL clubs in London taking part in the initiative, the project will utilise the clubs’ female players to inspire thousands of girls to enjoy physical activity. --------------------------------- About London United: Established in 2008, London United is a unique collaboration of fourteen professional football clubs. Using the power of their respective clubs, they aim to support Londoners of all ages and abilities by:
- Sharing knowledge and best practice.
- Working with London wide organisations to understand how football clubs and the sport can help address health and social challenges.
- Delivering programmes which widen participation in sport, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, improve health and social integration and create employment and training opportunities.
The 14 members of London United are:
- Arsenal in the Community
- Brentford FC Community Sports Trust
- Chelsea FC Foundation
- Charlton Athletic Community Trust
- Palace for Life Foundation (Crystal Palace)
- Dagenham and Redbridge Community Trust
- Fulham Football Club Foundation
- Leyton Orient Trust
- Millwall Community Trust
- QPR in the Community
- Tottenham Hotspur Foundation
- Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust
- West Ham United Community Sports Trust
- AFC Wimbledon Foundation
About The London Marathon Charitable Trust: Since 1981, the London Marathon Charitable Trust has awarded grants totalling more than £86 million to 1,400+ organisations in London, Surrey and other areas. The Trust supports projects that inspire people to lead a more active lifestyle and increase the number of people regularly taking part in sports and physical activities.
