Foundation to increase free football for adults

The Wolves Foundation has launched a new project to create more opportunities for adults to play free recreational football near their homes.

Kick Off will also support grassroots clubs with their off-field operations.

It has been funded by the Premier League & Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Community Fund.

The project will be overseen by Nikki Lal, former player for Wolves and West Bromwich Albion Women. She began in grassroots football with Bustleholme.

Ms Lal said the overall goal was that everyone would have opportunities to play within a mile of their home.

"So, it involves a lot of mapping and scoping out and also making sure we work alongside other foundation projects and the other physical activities set up in different parts of the city," she said.

"It's about getting out into parts of the city where there is less physical activity available, or people don't have access to it, and removing barriers to that activity.

"We all know how important exercise is for both physical and mental health and Kick Off is designed to offer fun and informal recreational football, with small-sided games and matches."

Groups already set up for the Kick Off sessions include women's football and walking football.

There are plans to create more, including sessions for care leavers and the LGBTQ+ community.

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