GLL and Bath City Football Club Foundation Announce New Partnership
Charitable social enterprise and leisure operator GLL has partnered with Bath City Football Club Foundation in an exciting new initiative aimed at improving physical activity levels among underrepresented groups. The collaboration, announced today, will see the Foundation receive free and discounted space at Odd Down Sports Ground and other local GLL facilities to pilot a range of community-focused, place-based programmes.
The new partnership comes as part of both organisations’ commitment to making physical activity more accessible to those who may face barriers such as socio-economic factors, disability, poor mental health or other challenges. By providing the Foundation with the necessary resources, including facilities to trial new targeted sports sessions, the collaboration aims to break down these barriers and encourage greater participation in exercise and physical activity, ultimately improving local health and wellbeing outcomes.
Bath City Football Club Foundation, known for its work within the local community, will be able to use the spaces at GLL’s leisure centres to run targeted programmes designed to engage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. The Foundation successfully delivers walking football sessions and previously held the football weight loss programme “Man V Fat” at the sports ground.
This new agreement will have an immediate impact for the community with a new exercise session, it is open to anyone over the age of 18 and free to attend. Step Forward which starts on the 6th February is for anyone looking to start or increase their physical activity, it is a multi-organisation collaboration between GLL, Bath City FC Foundation, HCRG and No Regrets Running. Keep an eye on social media for more information.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Bath City Football Club Foundation to help support their valuable work in the community,” said Mark Harrison, GLL’s Community Sports Manager for Bath and North East Somerset and Swindon. “This partnership aligns with one of our core values, tackling health inequalities, and is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of local people who find it harder to do regular physically activity.”
The Foundation’s CEO, Geoff Stevens, added, “This partnership will help us reach more people in need and make a meaningful impact on their health and fitness. It is a good step forward for the Foundation, it helps us demonstrate the need in the local community before securing longer term funding. We look forward to working with GLL to contribute towards a happy, healthy and resilient community.”