Free 'Fun Football' sessions to be delivered by Ignite Sport UK this summer

Free weekend football sessions for football inspired children will be delivered this summer by Ignite Sport UK as an official delivery centre of The FA and McDonald’s to support the provision of grassroots sport across the UK.  

Open to children aged between five and 11, McDonalds Fun Football works in partnership with the four UK Football Associations to providefive million hours of Fun Football to over 500,000 kids by 2022. Sessions are delivered by fully qualified coaches in 600 locations.  

Ignite Sport UK has been delivering McDonalds Fun Football sessions under our umbrella of sports-based activity sessions since 2018. The extension of the programme means safe, free football will be delivered at our Marston-based Oxford City Football Club headquarters and across the county throughout June and July.  

All spaces on each hour-long session are fully funded with the programme focusing on the development of essentials skills including taking on challenges, teamwork and communication via the power of football. 

Louise Merritt, Director of Operations at Ignite Sport UK, said: “Fun Football is an excellent way to keep children active and engaged over the weekend and we are pleased to confirm the summer programme.  

“Sessions are fun and inclusive and cater for players of all abilities.  

“With the recent return to sport, these sessions are very popular, and we would therefore like to encourage all interested parents to book now and avoid disappointment.”

All Fun Football sessions will adhere to the latest Government guidelines which are under constant review regarding the 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.  

“All sessions are carefully designed with each country’s respective Football Association and their latest grassroots guidance in mind,” added Louise.  

“We are taking every measure possible to ensure the safety of our participants and their families is of paramount importance throughout the pandemic.”  

McDonald’s’ Fun Football sessions are free and open to all children aged 5-11. Parents interested in registering their child for a session can do so by visiting McDonald’s’ online booking form.  

Spaces are limited and available on a first-come first-served basis. Children attending should be suitably dressed to engage with physical activities and bring their own drink.  

Further information about the sessions will be available via our Twitter feed @IgniteSportUK or on either Instagram and Facebook.