FC FUTURES & The Football Foundation Partnership
March 24, 2025
Back in April 2023, EA SPORTS FC announced FC FUTURES; a $10M plan to meaningfully invest in community-level football on a global scale through product innovation, community investment and partner initiatives, with the purpose of growing the sport for all.
To mark the launch of this ambitious new social impact programme, EA SPORTS FC teamed up with the Football Foundation, the charity of The Premier League, The FA and UK Government to unveil The ‘Rocky and Wrighty Arena’ - a newly renovated football pitch at Turnham Academy in South London. Officially opened by England legend Ian Wright, the pitch rehabilitation sought to promote grassroots football amongst youth in the area and help inspire the next generation of players.
In addition, an online library of FC FUTURES training practices was launched, designed with UEFA coaches and inspired by drills designed in-game. The drills are free to access for grassroots coaches, teachers and others in local football training sessions.
Two years on and the Rocky and Wrighty Arena continues to thrive as a safe and accessible space for young people within the South East London community to socialise and advance their football skills.
Fast forward to the summer of 2024, the on-going partnership between FC FUTURES and Football Foundation continued, with the renovation of a new PlayZone in Birmingham City; The Birmingham Concord Centre, a multi-sport location, that has since hosted a series of basketball training programmes and fixtures for girls and young women organised by local School Games and Basketball England.
R.Y.A.N Education Academy continues to utilise the playing space 3-5 times a week alongside the young people as part of the Youth Centre weekly.
“It’s been great to see just how well all of the young people and students have enjoyed the PlayZone so far. We have a regular group of 12 young people with SEND needs using the space and it’s been liberating for them, and really improved the social connections with one another through sport.” - Adill Hadi, Youth Worker Manager - Birmingham Youth Service
Going forward, this partnership looks to break ground on a new site in Silksworth, Sunderland, in continued support of the Football Foundations PlayZone’s pledge to create 240 playing sites by the end of 2025.
To learn more, visit: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/playzones-programme