BARNSLEY’S newest football league is aiming to give back to the community.
The five-a-side Football for Good League is one of only six similar initiatives in the country that donates 100 per cent of the weekly match fees back into the local community.
Run by Barnsley FC’s official charity, Barnsley FC Community Trust, in partnership with the youth homelessness charity Street Soccer Foundation, the league hopes to raise money that will fund programmes that help vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in the area.
Aidan Wearmouth, sports participation officer at Barnsley FC Community Trust, said: “This opportunity allows us to provide a fun and competitive football league for our local community to enjoy, whilst making a difference for disadvantaged children and young people in Barnsley.
“We look forward to interacting with new members of our community, whilst having a great impact on a matter that is very important to us.”
Players are free to join in February, when the league will commence, and play on Wednesday evenings on a 3G pitch at Oakwell.
Keith Mabbutt, founder and chief executive officer of the Street Soccer Foundation, added: “Our Football for Good Leagues are set to revolutionise the way we play the beautiful game, as it won’t be just about the winning team, but about creating leagues that have a social heartbeat - where every goal scored contributes to positive change in the players’ local communities.
“Football has an incredible power to unite people and communities and our Football for Good Leagues will harness this power to address social challenges, helping local individuals and communities on a national and international scale.
“We’re now calling on people to gather their friends, colleagues or fellow football enthusiasts to form a squad that plays not just for victory on the field but for positive social change off it.”
