Funding, delivery and facilities all exist.
They’re just not connected…
The PlayFootball Foundation connects the dots between CSR-driven funders, delivery partners and PlayFootball, the UK's largest network of all-weather sports pitches, turning investment into structured participation and measurable social value at scale
“PlayFootball Foundation is a charitable enabler that turns investment into structured football participation and measurable social value."
PlayFootball Foundation doesn't deliver programmes or operate sports facilities.
It connects CSR funders, expert delivery partners and the UK's largest network of all-weather sports pitches.
Funding exists. Delivery expertise exists. Facilities exist.
The challenge isn't availability. It's connectivity.We connect the dots, turning investment into football participation and measurable social value at scale.
HOW IT WORKS
One ecosystem, one shared model
STEP 2 - PlayFootball Foundation Structures The Opportunity
We convene the right delivery partners around that brief.
STEP 1 -Funders Define The Focus
CSR investment and social impact priorities are set.
STEP 3 – Access The UK's Largest Sports Pitch Network
Exclusive delivery access, through PlayFootball, to the UK's largest network of all-weather sports pitches.
STEP 4 - Impact Is Reported Back
Participation data and impact reporting validates outcomes and strengthen partnerships.
Built for two audiences, in one structure
Funders need trusted delivery and evidenced impact.
Delivery partners need structured access to funding they couldn't reach alone.
PlayFootball Foundation is built to give both at once.
FOR FUNDERS
What You Get
01 Trusted Delivery
Investment routed through an established structure, not a one-off grant into the unknown.
02 Exclusive Access To A National Participation Investment lands on real capacity through the PlayFootball network, not a hope that delivery space will materialise.
03 Reporting
Funding secured, programmes delivered, partners engaged and participants reached — all tracked.
04 Measurable Social Value
Impact evidenced, not estimated. Investment validated.
FOR DELIVERY PARTNERS
What You Get
01 Structured Funding
A route to investment that's already aligned with CSR funder priorities.
02 Co-Design
A say in how programmes are shaped, not a brief handed down with no input.
03 Access You Couldn't Create Alone
Opportunities that depend on scale and convening power most organisations don't have independently.
04 UK’s Largest Pitch Network Behind Delivery
The PlayFootball all-weather sports pitch network supporting reach, scheduled delivery, not a blank page to start from.
Exclusive Access to the UK's Largest Sports Pitch Network
Underpinned by the UK’s Largest Football Participation Platform
180+ sites nationwide
4.5 million annual player visits
National infrastructure
£16 Million in social value evidenced in 2025
The infrastructure already exists.
PlayFootball Foundation connects the dots.
WHERE WE FIT
Additional, not competing
PlayFootball Foundation isn't designed to replace or compete with existing football community structures.
Instead, it creates new opportunities by connecting funding, delivery expertise and a national sports pitch network through one ecosystem.
Because activity is delivered through the PlayFootball pitch network, PlayFootball Foundation adds funded capacity to the football landscape rather than competing for existing grassroots provision.
Premier League Foundation
PlayFootball Foundation adds funded capacity for clubs alongside the PL Foundation, not in place of them.
EFL in the Community
EFL community trusts gain another route to funded participation activity through the same ecosystem.
The FA
PlayFootball Foundation operates as a connector within that wider landscape of grassroots participation.
Leadership
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Matt Mead
LEADERSHIP, PARTNERSHIPS & STRATEGY
Former senior leader at Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation with over 20 years' experience developing partnerships, funding strategies and programmes that use sport to create measurable social impact. -
Chris Symons
CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
Former Director of Development & Partnerships at GLL and CEO of BH Live. Chris brings extensive experience in governance, strategic partnerships and growing participation across community sport. -
Chris Bunting
TRUSTEE
Assistant Director of Leisure & Culture at Ealing Council. Chris has extensive expertise in public services, community participation and creating inclusive opportunities that improve health and wellbeing. -
Shaun Gore
TRUSTEE
Former senior executive at Chelsea FC Foundation. Shaun has spent his career leading community football initiatives, bringing significant expertise in governance, social impact and charitable leadership.
