A record number of Summer Holiday Camp spaces have been made available by Oxford United in the Community after the charity hosted more children than ever during Easter.
Its team will deliver 2,925 days of activity with 600 spaces in camps across Oxford, Kidlington and Banbury fully funded thanks to a new partnership with cereal giants Kellogg’s.
The announcement follows a record-breaking Easter where hundreds of football-mad youngsters signed up for the charity’s most recent holiday camp sessions, which United stars Fin Stevens and Josh McEachran supported via some surprise visits.
The two professionals took questions from participants before signing shirts, posing for photographs and watching the sessions which are delivered to male and female players aged 5-13 of all playing abilities and experiences.
It capped a bumper two weeks of programme delivery for the charity’s team of Community Coaches and Programme Leads who taught participants new football skills and techniques with an emphasis on teamwork, problem-solving and good communication.
Rob Porter, Lead Community Coach at Oxford United in the Community, said: “The response to our new Easter holiday camp schedule was really pleasing.
“Seeing so many young players develop both on and off the pitch underlines the primary purpose of these camps which is to engage, develop and help young people thrive.
“Having Josh (McEachran) and Fin (Stevens) attend our camps in Oxford, Kidlington and Banbury was an exciting experience for participants too, and an opportunity for them to share moments on the pitch will live long in their memories.
“With the influence of the Oxford United badge, we are well-placed to inspire people of all ages and help create happier, healthier and better-connected communities through the power of football.”
New to Oxford United in the Community’s Easter holiday camp provision this year was the delivery of an extended two-week girls-only camp following its launch last May.
Its expansion was prompted by a rise in demand for female-only football opportunities in an organised environment and aligned with the growth of women’s football locally.
United midfielder Josh McEachran added: “Watching participants play and speak so enthusiastically about football and training during the school break was really uplifting.
“It took me back to my own development as a youth team player where learning from your coaches is so important.
“As a father myself, it’s great to see opportunities of this kind more commonplace in Oxfordshire. And as first-team players, we recognise the positive impact we can have on local players and feel a responsibility to inspire them through the work of Oxford United in the Community.”
Oxford United in the Community’s holiday camps return during the summer half-term between Monday, May 27, and Friday, May 31.
Full details of all holiday camps and bookings can be made via Book Oxford United FC Football Courses & Soccer School Sessions (officialsoccerschools.co.uk). All profits generated from each holiday is committed back to the charity’s work to inspire happier, healthier and better-connected communities across Oxfordshire through the power of sport.