FOOTBALL’S ‘RESPECT’ CAMPAIGN RECEIVES FURTHER BACKING ACROSS THE CAPITAL FROM UTILITA ENERGY

Utilita Energy, London FA (LFA) and Team Grassroots have teamed up for a second year to help the capital city’s leagues tackle respect to referees and volunteers across the grassroots game.

As a reminder to all players, Utilita Energy’s ‘Grassroots Fund’ which is administered by Team Grassroots each month, has funded the creation and distribution of thousands of cards, posters and bibs that carry the message ‘No Ref, No Game’. The packs will be distributed by London FA to all leagues- both adult and youth. Last year, Utilita Energy funded the Covid-19 packs for all leagues.

Allocating the monthly grassroots fund, which is powered by Utilita’s Energy High 5, is Team Grassroots’ Paul Kirton – the founder of the largest online grassroots football community, which offers support, resources and advocacy on behalf of the millions of people that play the game or support the game. He comments on why the packs are so important:

“The Respect campaign has been very effective in reminding players that without a referee, there is no game. The regular reminders are necessary, as passionate players can sometimes be quick to forget, so these packs will go a long way in spreading the message and making sure we all remember to respect the referee’s decision each and every game.”

Aquila Burgess, London FA’s Football Development Manager added:

“We are delighted to support our leagues again to help support with the respect which should be shown to volunteers and referees across the game, with the offering thanks to Team Grassroots Utilita’s Energy High 5 Grassroots Fund. As an organisation, we continually look to work with companies that can offer our members valuable, insightful and essential services. We hope the packs provided will help leagues to tackle abuse suffered towards match officials.

James Heyes, Partnerships Manager at Utilita Energy comments on the important investment:

“Our long-term investment in football, from grassroots to the Premier League , has become ever more important today – the sport needs as much support as it can get to recover from the devastating effects caused by the pandemic.

“Respect, not only for the ref, but for everyone who makes the effort to muck-in is so important – it’s what motivates volunteers to continue. Utilita’s State of Play report revealed that two in every five parents help their kids’ club in some way (41%) – whether that’s coaching, refereeing matches, on the touchline, ferrying kids to matches, washing kits, or making tea in the clubhouse – football exists through community involvement.”

The Grassroots Fund is powered by Utilita’s Energy High 5 campaign, which helps households to save up to £163 on their home energy bills. Through Utilita’s investment in football, the pro-pocket, pro-planet campaign has reached almost four million households in the UK since December 2019.

Individuals, teams and leagues can apply for the fund here: https://www.teamgrassroots.co.uk/grassroots-fund-powered-by-utilita-energy-high-5/

Utilita has also recently launched football’s biggest ever environmental movement in association with former England goalkeeper, David James. ‘Football Rebooted’ is helping to keep one million pairs of football boots out of landfill and get them back on to the feet of those who need them, further improving access to grassroots football – another pro-pocket, pro-planet campaign.