Jamie Redknapp & Alex Scott celebrate football’s return with McDonald’s Fun Football

Former England stars help to relaunch McDonald’s Fun Football programme which will offer one million hours of free football for children in 2021

To celebrate the return of outdoor sports as part of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, Jamie Redknapp and Alex Scott paid a special visit to the first McDonald’s Fun Football session of the year at the Bushy Park Sports Club in Teddington. The surprise appearance was to relaunch McDonald’s Fun Football sessions, part of its programme that aims to provide 5 million hours of Fun Football to children in the UK by 2022.

In 2021 McDonald’s will provide one million hours of free football sessions, as it doubles the number of sessions it puts on this summer to enable more kids to get active again.

The former England internationals helped coach children during the free football session, which is delivered in partnership with The FA. The Fun Football programme was postponed as the UK went into another lockdown earlier this year, but with outdoor sports resuming from the 29^th, the programme gives children who have missed out on sport and vital peer-to-peer interaction a chance to safely enjoy football again. Whether they are first-timers or keen to get back to developing their skills, every child can enjoy the sessions.

McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador Jamie Redknapp commented: “It’s great to come down and see first-hand kids getting back into football in a fun and safe environment after lockdown at this McDonald’s Fun Football session. As a parent I know how much kids have missed opportunities like this, and speaking to the parents here today has shown how vital sessions are like this to families.” 

McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador Alex Scott added: “You can see from the excitement and joy on the kids’ faces today just how much this means to them to be back playing. It’s really important that families have access to programmes and sessions like this, as getting kids active after a long year of restrictions is key to keeping them mentally and physically healthy.”

As part of McDonald’s providing one million hours of free coaching this year, 10,000 children will get the chance to play football at over 400 sessions across the country in April - all under the guidance of top FA accredited coaches. McDonald’s is also committed to its target of giving over 500,000 children the opportunity to play football for the first time.

Paul Pomroy, Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s UK and Ireland said: “It is a proud moment for McDonald’s to be able to offer so many children access to free fun football in April. As a dad of two boys that love football, I know how much children have missed running around with their friends during lockdown and I’m delighted our programme restarts this weekend as the grassroots season recommences. We are looking forward to offering even more sessions during this exciting summer of football, in total we will provide one million hours of free football for children in 2021.”

At the weekend, The FA announced its ‘Survive. Thrive. Revive.’ strategy, where it committed to fostering a game that’s representative of diverse footballing communities, played in a safe an inclusive environment, which McDonald’s helps provide through its Fun Football programme. McDonald’s has worked with the FA and the other Home Nations Football Associations for the last 19 years, making it the longest standing provider of grassroots football in the UK.

Found your local free Fun Football Centre and sign up today at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball.

For further information on McDonald’s involvement in grassroots football and to find out how your club could benefit, follow @FunFootballUK on Twitter and Instagram.

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For more information contact:

McDonald’s Press Office

0203 892 1000 / PressOffice@uk.mcd.com

The McDonald’s Sport Press Office

020 7025 6697 / mcdonaldssportsteam@redconsultancy.com