Football Foundation Kicks Off 25th Anniversary with Bold 5-Year Plan

The Football Foundation marked its 25th anniversary by launching a five-year strategy aimed at meeting the growing needs of the women's and girls' game. At a celebration event at Burgess Park Sports Centre in south London, the charity brought together leaders from the sport and government to pledge their commitment to providing grassroots facility improvements for all, regardless of gender, race, disability, or place. The event, which took place in October 2025, saw the Football Foundation unveil its new strategy, which will guide the charity's work over the next five years. The strategy focuses on increasing participation and opportunities for women and girls in football, as well as improving the quality and accessibility of grassroots facilities. According to Sam Bunis, the Football Foundation's chief executive, the charity's new strategy is a major step forward for women's and girls' football in the UK. "This strategy is a game-changer for women's and girls' football," Bunis said. "We're committed to making sure that every girl and woman in the UK has access to the facilities and opportunities they need to play the game they love." The Football Foundation was established in 2000, using funds generated by the English Premier League to provide grassroots facility improvements for all. Over the past 25 years, the charity has invested over £2 billion in more than 10,000 projects across the UK. The charity's work has helped to improve the quality and accessibility of grassroots facilities, increasing participation in football and providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. The launch of the Football Foundation's new strategy was attended by senior figures from the sport and government, including Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of the English Football Association, and Simon Hayes, the chair of Sport England. The event also saw the announcement of a new partnership between the Football Foundation and the Premier League, which will see the charity receive additional funding to support its work. The Football Foundation's new strategy is a major milestone in the charity's 25-year history, and marks a significant step forward for women's and girls' football in the UK. As the charity looks to the future, it is clear that its commitment to providing grassroots facility improvements for all will remain at the heart of its work.