McDonald's UK are set to deliver over 1.2 million hours of free football coaching to over half a million kids around the country as their 'Fun Football'programme returns for 2024, including thousands across Leeds and beyond.
The global fast food chain is bringing back its successful and crucially accessible football coaching campaign to Yorkshire children this spring, and they've also had some England stars helping them spread the word.
With Three Lions and Real Madrid Jude Bellingham midfielder getting on board alongside Lionesses hero and Arsenal star Beth Mead as 'Fun Football' ambassadors, the scheme is hoping to reach more underprivileged areas than ever and give a reminder that the beautiful game is for everyone.
As per The Manc, McDonald's will be providing numerous free football coaching sessions carried out by FA-qualified coaches in over 1,500 locations across Britain. Brilliant news.
Sadly, research shows that over half (56%) of children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are inactive due to the associated costs that surround attending sports activities. This is where big brands embroiled in the community come in.
First set up back in 2018, Maccies' Fun Football programme has adjusted its centre locations to ensure it can offer over 80% of lower-socio urban areas easy access to the scheme and delivered over five million hours of free football coaching across the nation in the first five years.
In addition, Pan-Disability and Visual Impairment sessions are also set to be offered once again to families up and down the country, as roughly a third of disabled children are said to be currently missing out on the benefits of sport.
Led by BBC Children in Need and Sporting People, Bellingham and Mead are by no means the first pro footballers to get involved in the wholesome initiative, with plenty of other sports personalities having chipped in over the past few years.
More than 100 dedicated coaches were trained up as part of the partnership in 2023, with bespoke modules created between McDonald's, British Blind Sport, Kick It Out and England Futsal.
The aim is to ensure Fun Football coaches can welcome any child and adapt sessions accordingly, as well as offer a physical and educational outlet to as many kids as possible.
Children aged 5-11 can take part in sessions starting from Saturday, 6 April until Sunday, 14 July all over the region and the UK, and kids of all abilities are being encouraged to give it a try.
To learn more about where in the Leeds area and across the wider Yorkshire region they're taking place and when, click HERE.
Featured Images — Supplied
News
Multi award-winning musical Hadestown is coming to Leeds on its UK tour next year
Multi award-winning musical Hadestown is heading out on tour next year, and of course it’ll be stopping off in Leeds.
The Tony and Grammy Award-winning production is currently playing its third smash-hit year in London’s West End, but once 2027 rolls around, Hadestown is embarking on its first-ever tour of the UK and Ireland, and tickets are officially set to go on general sale next Friday.
If you’re unfamiliar with this modern-day classic, Hadestown takes you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.
Image – Marc Brenner (Supplied)
Described as being a ‘deeply resonant’ and ‘defiantly hopeful’ theatrical experience, audiences are invited to imagine how the world could be.
Having been seen by over six million people, streamed by nearly a billion, and adored by fans around the world, critics have called this record-breaking musical ’the most exhilarating ride’… and once you watch it for yourself, it’s not hard to see why.
Hadestown will be taking to the stage at the Lowry in the Leeds Grand Theatre next March arriving in the city on Tuesday 23 March and running through until Thursday 27 March 2027.
Image – Marc Brenner (Supplied)
Other northern cities the production will be visiting on its upcoming tour include Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Hull, and Chester, while there’s many other major locations on the list before it closes in Sunderland in mid-November 2027.
While the production is touring, the critically acclaimed West End run will still continue at London’s Lyric Theatre, more than eight years after its sold-out debut at the National Theatre in 2018.
Tickets officially go on general sale from 10am next Friday 12 June and can be booked on the Leeds Grand Theatre website online here.
Even more names added to the already stacked lineup for Leeds Festival 2026
Clementine Hall
Leeds Festival have announced further names set to join the festival's lineup this summer.
Yep that's right, Bramham Park is set to welcome even more fabulous artists to Leeds Festival over August Bank Holiday weekend.
If we weren't already excited enough, now we really can't wait. Is it too early to start packing?
Just announced to be joining the lineup are the likes of Villanelle, December 10, Beth McCarthy, After, JD Cliffe, Untitled, Alex Spencer, unpeople, SINN6R, 54 Ultra, unpeople, Kibo and Camille Blackman.
Images: Supplied
Following the announcement of indie legends Blossoms’ special guest appearance, newly announced Leeds exclusive performances will come from Dylan John Thomas, The Clause, M60 and 4AM Kru.
Also announced is the return of Leeds Festival’s famed late-night home LS23 - which has become a fixture of the festival over the years.
Soundtracking late into the night and only found at Leeds Festival, this year’s lineup includes the likes of Lens, Soul Mass Transit System, ZERO, CROSSY, Osmosis Jones and more.
Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave, Fontaines D.C. and more topping the bill.
For the first time ever, Kasabian will be performing a headline slot on the Thursday night amongst many more.
Also listed on the line-up are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K's and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.
Leeds Festival 2026 is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.
Danny Jones -
21st March 2024 
