Rashford's programme supports children in Oxfordshire

We are proud to be working in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council to provide 170 free holiday club spaces to children living in the county during the Easter break. The free paces have been made available with food included for children eligible for free school meals following the Government’s extension of its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. The grant from the Department for Education was allocated to Oxfordshire County Council to support children in the school holidays with activities and food.

In November, Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford successfully campaigned to extend the HAF programme to cover the Christmas, Easter and Summer breaks.

His work has helped ensure every local authority in England received a cut of the £220m HAF extension which aims to tackle poverty through the power of sport.

The funded spaces will form part of our holiday clubs that will take place at The Community Arena at Oxford City FC and Tower Hill Community Primary School in Witney.

Children aged five to 14 will be able to enjoy Multisport, Girls Only Football and Football Skills camps delivered by our highly qualified and experienced team of teachers and coaches.

Sessions will take place on weekdays from Tuesday, April 6, until Friday, April 16.

Louise Merritt, our Director of Operations said: “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt by everyone.

“For many families, it has challenged their mental and physical health and created financial pressures. The free spaces on our Easter Holiday Club will help in a small capacity by easing the burden on families concerned about additional childcare and food costs.

“Our fantastic team of coaches have developed a COVID-19 safe programme designed to keep children active and support the provision of sport through the two-week break.

“We are pleased to be working closely with our network of schools to enable a share of places.”

Included in the free spaces is a healthy and balanced morning snack plus a packed lunch for each child per day.

The fresh food is being prepared onsite by Ignite Sport UK partners The Oxford Food Company.

“Keeping children engaged in activities and sport whilst supporting their health through nutritious food is a big part of our work and we’re pleased to help this initiative,” added Louise.

“Our mission at Ignite Sport UK is to encourage physical activity for both its physical and mental health benefits.”

All Easter Holiday Clubs will adhere to the latest Government guidelines which are under constant review regarding the
COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure maximum safety, all Ignite Sport UK staff are tested twice weekly and have completed a Level 2 award in Infection Prevention, Mitigation and Management plus pandemic awareness, social distancing practices and anxiety in children and young people during COVID-19.

Schools looking to offer places to children at their school should contact us via info@ignitesportuk.com or call 0300 3030890