The Co-op to support free grassroots football with Macclesfield's The Savage Foundation
"We offer free-to-access football, with proper coaching, for kids from Macclesfield, Congleton and the surrounding areas."
By Alex Greensmith
Posted: Wednesday, 31st January 2024 3:58 pm
Grassroots football is to get a big boost in Macclesfield, thanks to the Co-op.
The Savage Foundation is one of eight Macclesfield causes the Co-op will raise funds for in 2024.
The Savage Foundation provides FREE, weekly football sessions for the children of Macclesfield and beyond.
Sessions are held every Tuesday from 4:00pm to 6:30pm, at the Leasing.com Stadium.
The Co-op, who have a store on London Road right next to Macclesfield FC, the ground where The Savage Foundation host their sessions, have for the first time chosen The Savage Foundation as a cause to raise money for.
Gawsworth resident Mark Winder is a volunteer coach at The Savage Foundation, and applied for the Co-op Grant.
He explained what The Savage Foundation is all about.
"It is free-to-access football, with proper coaching, for kids from Macclesfield, Congleton and the surrounding areas," he said.
"We started just after COVID, initially we were looking after 300 kids.
"Fast-forward to today, and we have provided free-to-access football for over 800 kids."
Coaches do it for the love of the game, all being unpaid. They come for the love of the game, and to inspire the next generation of youngsters.
The Foundation is also supported by a dedicated base of non-coach volunteers, that handle things like admin, recruitment of players, first aid, as well as meeting parents and players among other responsibilities.
"We believe sport should be free to access, and we have a great facility here," explained Mark.
"That was the ethos behind it all.
"With it being free it has its own challenges, people are not always committed like they would be if they were paying money for it. So children come and go.
"We have different levels of ability with the children, some might be established footballers who take this opportunity for extra football, but it is also designed for those where football has passed them by.
"They are maybe a bit older or feel they can't get on a team anymore. In terms of how most football teams are, if you are not in from the age of six or seven, then it is very difficult to get into a team.
"Plus on the top of that, there is the cost for families to send their children to football. You don't have to worry about that here.
"I've got three kids, it is £260 a year plus the travelling around, you are looking at £1500, £2000 a year just to watch kids play football.
"The Savage Foundation was set up to give access for everybody to free football.
"On the back of that we have developed ideas with things like The Boot Room,
"The Boot Room is where people can donate boots for children to use during the sessions.
"And things like free football kits. All kids get a free football kit, it is a Nike football kit so it is proper, kids need to feel part of something.
"We give the coaches jackets to make them feel like they are part of it too. And we have bibs as well."
The Community Interest Company, which dons red and white colours as a nod to Macclesfield FC Director of Football Robbie Savage's Welsh background, does not have competitive teams.
It is simply coached football, without the cost, but keeping all the fun.
"Robbie's a great guy and we are lucky enough to manage this on his behalf," added Mark.
"None of us get paid and we are always looking at fundraising.
"Since COVID and the cost of living crisis, everything is more expensive. Even the cost of having the floodlights on.
"We are providing 2.5 hours of free football a week to the children of Macclesfield. We provide not only the facility, but also the football kits and equipment.
"In terms of fundraising for ourselves, we decided that one thing we could give the children at Christmas time in 2022 was a book. We wanted to gift the kids a Christmas present.
"So I wrote a book called Smokey the Dragon, which was a little story about a child who stayed in all day on their games console, and had no interest in running around being healthy. But it is a feelgood story about their toy dragon that comes to life and takes them to The Savage Foundation, where they have a great time and meet new friends.
"Now we have decided to write a Smokey the Dragon sequel.
"Part of the Co-op money is going to be going to fund a new book to gift to the kids, we also have some ideas about holding end of season parties for everyone that comes to The Savage Foundation.
"The book will also help with visibility in the community, which will give us more access to go into schools to tell everyone about what we do with a tangible thing.
"We'd love to get more kids involved. You are going to come and train in a beautiful environment with qualified coaches."
The Savage Foundation is grateful for the opportunity provided by the Co-op's Local Community Fund.
"Thank you to the Co-op and their members," said Mark.
"I found out about the Co-op Community Fund through a Macclesfield Nub News article and applied, not expecting to get any further but here we are.
"I'm sure every Co-op cause is worthwhile but if you feel that what we offer the children of Macclesfield and surrounding areas is something you want to support, that is what we are doing it for.
"We are not by any means saying we are more deserving than anyone else, but we are grateful the Co-op has given us this great opportunity to get more support.
"It is all about securing the future of The Savage Foundation, we want to provide this for local children as long as we possibly can.
"And any kind of money that can help provide that through this initiative with the Co-op will go a long way, which is great for us and great for the community. It is a win-win situation."
To become a Co-op Member and start raising funds for local causes in Macclesfield, join in-store or download the Co-op app.
From there, you can select the local cause you would like funds to go to, be it The Savage Foundation or another one of eight great Macclesfield causes.
Tina Davies, Co-op Member Pioneer for Macclesfield said: "Here at the Coop we like to support our local causes and this year our causes will get a share of the £4 million community fund pot."
"You will also receive discounts on other items like Coop legal services/funeral plans and much more.
"If you have funds on your membership card, you have until the 31/12/24 to spend them in-store or donate your funds to a local cause via the Co-op app."
Share:
