A new initiative to ensure children facing financial pressures have the boots and kit they need to keep playing football is set for kick off.

Northumberland FA is partnering with Grassboots, a project founded by Life Vineyard Church during the pandemic, which collects good quality, pre loved football boots and kit – which has often been grown out of but is still in great condition - and re distributes it to children and families who need it most.

We’ll be providing donation points across Northumberland , Newcastle and North Tyneside – adding to a number of existing locations - where people can donate the sportwear and equipment they no longer use.

As well as promoting sustainability, the project aims to address the current cost of living crisis, helping to keep children playing football by removing financial barriers.

Northumberland FA’s Head of Inclusion Dean Buckle said: “Lots of us have unused football kit in our cupboards. With children growing so quickly, they often grow out of boots when they’ve only been used a few times.

“We have been contacted by so may clubs who are worried about young players who face dropping out of football due to the costs of basic items such as kit. This is a way to ensure we keep them in football – which has huge health, wellbeing and social benefits.”

Families will be able to access kit for free or in some cases at very low cost. Dean explained: “By charging a nominal fee for some of the kit - such as £2 to £3 – we will keep the project sustainable for the longer term by funding its overheads such as storage and cleaning.”

Kit will be packed up in boxes and bags, with designated pick up points across the area – making it similar to collecting an online shopping parcel.

Grassboots founder Geoff Dawson added: “The project has a big focus on dignity, and we want to make families feel like they are picking up a typical parcel or online order. Although the items are free or low cost, they are still in great condition and we want to ensure that children who receive them feel the same excitement they would get from any other purchase.”

If you need to access kit and boots or would like to refer someone, please contact Grassboots directly https://www.facebook.com/LVCGrassboots/ or email; dean.buckle@northumberlandfa.com – additionally, if you are part of a grassroots football club, your club will also be able to refer you for kit through our SCARF application fund. 

The project runs alongside Northumberland FA’s SCARF Fund, which provides grants to children whose families are in financial difficulties, to help keep them in football by paying expenses such as club fees, kit costs and even bus fares.

Initial donation points include:

• Newcastle East End FC, 3A Eastfield Ave, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4UP
• Blyth Town FC, South Newsham Playing Fields, Sandringham Drive, Blyth, NE24 3PS
• Gosforth Bohemians, Benson Park, South Ridge Road, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 2EJ
• Prudhoe Youth Club, Eastwoods Park, Eastwoods Road, Prudhoe, NE42 5DX
• Red House Farm FC, Kingston Park Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2HY
• Whitley Bay Juniors, Foxhunters Sports Pavilion, Preston Gate,North Shields NE29 9QB.
• Ponteland Leisure Centre, Callerton Lane, Ponteland, NE20 9EG
• Concordia Leisure Centre, Forum Way, Manor Walks Shopping Centre, Cramlington, NE23 6YB
• Ashington Leisure Centre, Lintonville Terrace, Ashington, NE63 9JY
• Newburn Activity Centre, Grange Rd, Newburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 8ND