Oxford United in the Community has partnered with Kidlington Youth Football Club as part of ambitious plans to grow engagement and playing opportunities locally.

The football club’s official charity has confirmed the next phase in its countywide ‘hub and spoke’ engagement strategy which seeks to broaden engagement with people of all backgrounds by inspiring happier, healthier and better-connected communities.

New programmes delivered at Kidlington Youth FC will help Oxford United in the Community foster a positive relationship between individuals and the football club while boosting key life skills.

Championing the charity and football club’s new partnership will be the delivery of jointly-run holiday camps – revenues from which will be reinvested into Kidlington Youth FC and Oxford United in the Community’s programmes.

Chris Lowes, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford United in the Community, said: “We’re really pleased to partner with Kidlington Youth FC and establish more opportunities and playing provisions for people in Oxfordshire.

“Our work already in Banbury with Easington Sports FC has demonstrated the importance of our work to communities and how valuable partnerships are in achieving effective delivery.

“Expanding our ‘hub and spoke’ model is a positive step forwards in our ambition to deliver strong connections between local people and the football club, so everyone has the opportunity to aspire towards a good future.”

Mark Hawtin, Vice Chair of Kidlington Youth Football Club, added: “Partnering with Oxford United in the Community presents a unique opportunity to bring new programmes to the region.

“In addition to generating additional revenue to support the youth and community arm of our club, our work with Oxford United in the Community will also help drive more people to the club and bring local people together.

“We’re an ambitious club with hard-working volunteers behind the scenes determined to make a positive impact on the lives of people we engage.

“Our first holiday camps launch during the Easter break – with more programmes and activities planned through the summer.”

Kidlington’s first event in partnership with Oxford United in the Community was delivered on Friday evening with the support of Power Up To Play – a charity dedicated to preventing knee injuries at grassroots level.

With knee injuries increasing 29-fold since the turn of the millennium, the free master class educated grassroots coaches on basic techniques which can deliver a safe training and playing environment for participants.

In addition to partnering with Kidlington Youth FC, Oxford United in the Community has also confirmed an extension of its work with Banbury-based Easington Sports FC for a further two years.

It follows a successful pilot partnership with the club which has provided holiday camp programmes for children, supportive football sessions to support people’s mental wellbeing and an extension of the charity’s Manor Club for the Over 50s programme.

Jamie Hunter, Club Secretary at Easington Sports FC, said: “As a Level Three Accredited football club, we want to continue to develop our role in the local community.

“The last three years in partnership with Oxford United in the Community has provided people with opportunities to enjoy football, make friends and develop new skills and we’re pleased to continue this in years to come.”

Spaces on Oxford United in the Community’s Easter Holiday camps – which will be delivered at Kidlington Youth FC, Easington Sports FC and The Oxford Academy – can be booked here.

If you are involved with an organisation or sports club motivated to develop its community outreach, email [email protected] for further information about how Oxford United in the Community can support you with your ambitions.