FA & Mars Grassroots Initiative Reaches Landmark

Mars Chocolate UK has announced that it will reach its aim of offering one million opportunities to participate in a local ‘Just Play’ kickabout this month, two years ahead of its 2018 target.

The FA Mars Just Play programme, established in 2011, aims to encourage grassroots participation by providing flexible formats of play, facilities, organisers and an online tool that enables adult players to take part.

The announcement was made at the inaugural FA Mars Just Play Awards to mark five years of the programme.

The overall winner, Cottingham Rangers Walking Football Club, scooped the top award for its outstanding contribution to grassroots football, winning an exclusive training session at St George’s Park with England manager, Roy Hodgson.

Blas Maquivar, president UK chocolate and global retail at Mars said: “2015 marks the fifth year of Mars’ partnership with The FA, supporting Just Play centres up and down the country. What a great milestone to offer one million people the opportunity to get active at a local centre. The awards today celebrate not only that, but importantly those that make the scheme possible.”

Gegg Goliker from Cottingham Rangers added: “Cottingham Rangers Walking Football Club has given people from across the region the opportunity to continue playing the beautiful game many years after they thought they would never play again. The volunteers who run the session have created a fantastic positive atmosphere which encourages not only participation but also acceptance and togetherness.

“We are over the moon to have won the inaugural Mars Just Play award and our players are excited to welcome the one and only, Roy Hodgson, to one of our sessions.”

Kelly Simmons, The FA’s director of national game, added: “The inaugural Just Play Awards are testament to the success of the FA Mars Just Play programme, with opportunities and participation numbers far exceeding expectations. We hope that this continues to encourage more and more adults to get back into football which is extremely important for our national game strategy.”