.png)
Schools and children across Bradford will have the chance to represent the Bantams, and potentially play on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium, thanks to the Utilita Kids and Girls Cup.
In May this year, the Foundation accompanied Blakehill Primary School all the way to Wembley, where a team from the school lost out by the finest margins in the final. It was incredible experience for the school, the players, staff and the Foundation team - and we're getting ready to do it all again, as the Utilita Kids and Girls Cup kick-off once again.
Blakehill's journey to Wembley was covered extensively across the Foundation's digital and social media channels, was picked up as a story by local and national press, and will be the source of a feature-length documentary covering the journey to, experience at, and return home from Wembley. The documentary will release in the New Year.
The school and their formidable team were also invited to the University of Bradford Stadium for a City game last season, where they displayed their school banner on the pitch. City stars Zac Hadi and Harry Ibbitson also visited the school to wish the team luck before they set off for the capital.
The Foundation has already hosted an initial round in the Utilita Girls Cup this season, which was overseen by our staff and supported by students from our Football and Education programme.
In 2024/25, the annual football competition will see more than 20,000 boys and girls from across 2,500 local schools take to the pitch to represent the 72 EFL Clubs across England and Wales, bolstering the existing ties between Clubs and their local communities.
Each school aims to progress through Area and Regional phases of the competition to earn the right to represent EFL Clubs regionally and and play in their official colours. Respective winners will then proceed to national finals played before the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Final, Championship, League One and League Two Play-Off Finals at Wembley.
The competitions have been the birthplace of some of the biggest names in football, including Germany and Bayern Munich's Jamal Muisala, England and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, and Barcelona and Lionesses goalkeeper, Ellie Roebuck.
Trevor Birch, Chief Executive Officer at the EFL, said: "The Utilita Kids and Girls Cup continues to develop key partnerships and productive relationships between Clubs, CCOs, EFL in the Community and their local schools.
The commitment from Clubs in helping to inspire young people to live healthy and active lives, firmly demonstrates the important role that football plays in our communities throughout England and Wales. I wish all participants the very best for this season.
Alongside the Kids and Girls Cups, Utilita's Football Rebooted movement is testament to supporting football at all levels, encouraging people to donate used boots they no longer need or have grown out of and redistributing them to pupils, local children or community groups in need of a pair, free of charge.
Bill Bullen, Chief Executive Officer at Utilita Energy, said: "At Utilita, we believe everyone should have access to play football. The sport plays an important role in supporting local communities and providing a sustainable pathway for future generations - it unites both businesses and fans across the UK.
"We're proud to be able to cheer on every competitor in this season's Utilita Kids and Girls Cup, and to provide children with the once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium."
To find out more, visit: https://utilita.co.uk/football
Comments