The Healthy Goals initiative aims to uplift the physical and mental health of young people by creating new community football spaces and youth led projects in cities where City Football Group (CFG) has clubs.
Launched in April 2023, CFG matched campaign donations pound-for-pound* to a limit of £500,000, which has now been reached thanks to the support of fans globally.
Participating clubs include Manchester City FC, New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, Montevideo City Torque, Mumbai City FC, and Lommel SK.
In Manchester, £250,000 including the CFG match was raised, enabling the Club’s charity, City in the Community, to expand its existing strategy of using football to empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Commenting on the success of the campaign, Head of City in the Community, Michael Geary, said: “Healthy Goals embodies what City in the Community’s ethos is all about – using football to get people in Manchester physically active.
“Just this summer, we opened two new refurbished park pitches in the city, and the Healthy Goals initiative extends our commitment to build on this legacy by creating more community football spaces across Manchester.
“Not only will these new Healthy Goals spaces be available for the local community to enjoy recreational football, but they will also enable CITC to deliver its outreach projects, such as Kicks and half-term Soccer Schools, in more locations around the city.
“I would like to express my huge thanks and gratitude to everyone who donated towards the Healthy Goals campaign since its launch, as well as City Football Group for their support. Together, we will empower healthier lives through football.”
City in the Community participant, Kurtley, took part in the charity’s Kicks sessions – one of the programmes which will be delivered at the new football spaces built through Healthy Goals - for many years.
Commenting on its impact, he said: “What I enjoy most about CITC’s sessions is that I get to play football and make new friends. It really helped me to get out of my comfort zone; making me feel good and like a better person.
“Before I came to CITC, I didn’t speak English at all, but the coaches really helped me to get involved and learn the language whilst playing football. We really built a formidable bond.”
Another participant, Leila, added: “Coming to CITC sessions is like a break from everything else that I do - with just finishing high school, it became a real outlet.
“Joining the sessions has helped with everything from football skills to communication skills and leadership skills, so I’m really pleased to see that CITC has committed to creating more spaces where young people like me can play and learn.”
City in the Community, Manchester City’s charity, empowers healthier lives with city youth through football. To find out more about its work, visit www.mancity.com/CITC.
*Overall, City Football Group contributed a maximum of £500,000 (GBP) in total for all City Football Group affiliated charities participating in the campaign.
