Community Football Tournament Keeps Young People Active in North East Lincolnshire
Fairplay Football initiative, funded by The National Lottery Communities Fund, offers free sporting opportunities and social development for local youth.
By Leah Sutcliffe
••3 min read
AI
Teenagers participating in a community football tournament in North East Lincolnshire.
A borough-wide football tournament is actively engaging young people in North East Lincolnshire, fostering friendships and providing a platform for sport through the Fairplay Football initiative.
Launched in October 2025 by North East Lincolnshire Council with funding from The National Lottery Communities Fund, Fairplay Football delivers weekly sessions and quarterly tournaments. These events are facilitated by various community groups across the borough, including Fusion, The Trin, YMCA, Immingham Oasis Academy, Creating Positive Opportunity (CPO), Grimsby Town Foundation, and Centre 4.
The tournaments are open to boys and girls aged 14 to 16, while weekly sessions cater to younger participants aged 8 to 16. The programme aims to offer a cost-free opportunity for young individuals, who are often signposted through local schools, the Youth Justice System, the Young People’s Support Service, and peer referrals.
During a recent international break, teams competed fiercely, culminating in a close final where Fusion 1 emerged victorious against Fusion 2. Beyond the competition, the initiative emphasises the importance of teamwork, determination, and social skills, lessons learned by participants who attend regularly.
Following the success of the football tournament, the project is introducing quarterly bonding activities designed to unite young people from Trin, Oasis, and YMCA. This expansion aims to ensure everyone has an equal chance to participate in sports they enjoy, providing a safe and active environment away from the streets.
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"It’s brilliant – a lot of these kids don’t get the chance to play football elsewhere and it’s great that they can come to us three days a week for training and then having the tournament too. Some are at every session and they love it – it’s a chance to see their mates and stay active. You don’t want kids wandering the streets so this brings them to a safe space and can hopefully put them on the right path for their future."
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"There’s kids around here that can’t afford to go into a gym or be part of a football team and we’re giving them that for free. In time, you see how much this helps children grow. They come in on day one feeling nervous and you watch them become more sociable, more skilful and even more active – we all look forward to seeing that change."
With the scheme planned to continue, interested individuals are encouraged to contact one of the providers to learn about involvement opportunities.
