A grassroots football club in Morecambe has launched an initiative to help provide free kit to junior players.
Westgate Wanderers have unveiled their ‘Westgate Rebooted’ scheme, designed to provide children with the football essentials they need to play the sport they love, free of charge.
The club say the idea came in response to the rising cost of living and their continued mission to make football accessible to all, so they want to remove financial barriers for parents and ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to play football.
The aim of the scheme is to provide free football boots, shin pads, goalkeeper gloves, and astro trainers to children in need, from any football club, with no questions asked. The scheme is aimed at supporting parents to overcome financial hurdles in letting their children play.
Players, parents and guardians can contact the club through their website or social media to arrange to pick up football equipment.
Participants are also encouraged to swap their old boots or shin pads, but it’s not mandatory. If someone has no equipment to swap, they are still welcome to take part in the scheme.
The club are also seeking donations of gently used football boots, shin pads, and other football gear, in order to help as many children as we can.
Jack McKnight – Founder of the scheme, said: “Wanderers Rebooted has been developed from a belief that grassroots football is for everyone.
‘’ Westgate Wanderers are solely funded by grants and sponsorships, and we believe that no child should be held back from playing football due to financial constraints. The Wanderers Rebooted scheme is a natural extension of our commitment to the community and ensuring inclusivity in sport.
‘’At its simplest, all it needs is a child a ball and a patch of grass. Westgate Wanderers FC and I are aware of the financial pressures parents and players can come under.
‘’As I coach and parent, I know this can be increased if your child had a sudden growth spurt or their boots rip mid-season.
‘’We hope the launch of this scheme can reduce this burden and support more people into the game and help them remain involved in love with football, and in particular grassroots football, for longer.”
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