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Support Chester FC Community Trust and add some extra excitement to this summer’s football with the our 2026 World Cup Sweepstake. For just £10 per entry, you will be randomly allocated a team in the tournament, with cash prizes available for the top three finishers. £140 – Winner £70 – Runner-up £30 – Third Place The remaining proceeds will directly support the Community Trust’s work to inspire and improve Cheshire West communities through sport, education, health & wellbeing, and social inclusion. To enter, follow the link below to pay the £10 entry free and include your contact email address in the notes section so we can let you when the draw takes place. CLICK HERE TO ENTER Whether you’re hoping to draw one of the tournament favourites or land an underdog story, every entry will help the Community Trust continue delivering important programmes within our community. There are 48 teams available on a first come, first served basis. Once 48 entries have been received, teams will be drawn at random and the results shared with entrants. Host your own World Cup Sweepstake to raise funds for Chester FC Community Trust If you would like to host your own World Cup Sweepstake with friends or colleagues to support Chester FC Community Trust, we have put together a downloadable pack that contains everything you need. DOWNLOAD YOUR 2026 WORLD CUP SWEEPSTAKE KIT Thank you for your support and good luck!
Chester FC Community Trust is inviting primary schools across Cheshire West to a special event introducting its partnership with Beyond the Physical – a collaboration designed to strengthen PE provision and support staff development. Earlier this year, the Community Trust became an official Grow Together Partner with Beyond the Physical, joining a national network of organisations committed to delivering purposeful, inclusive and high-impact PE. The partnership gives schools access to world-leading PE resources, evidence-informed CPD opportunities, and an AfPE-approved curriculum – one of only three approved programmes in the country. The initiative reflects Chester FC Community Trust’s continued commitment to using sport and education to positively impact schools and communities. Through the partnership, schools can benefit from structured CPD opportunities, planning resources, and practical support to help develop meaningful PE experiences for pupils while building teacher confidence and consistency. To introduce the programme in more detail, the Community Trust will host a free event for primary teachers, PE leads, and school leaders on Tuesday 9 June at 9am. What schools can expect Attendees will have the opportunity to: • Learn more about the partnership with Beyond the Physical • Explore the PE curriculum and support package available to schools • Discover how the programme can strengthen existing PE provision • Take part in an open Q&A session with the Community Trust team Event Details Date: Tuesday 9 June Time: 9:00am Venue: King George V Sports Hub, Blacon Avenue, Chester CH1 5BD The event is free to attend and light refreshments will be provided. CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE For further information, contact Anna Price, Head of Programmes at Chester FC Community Trust, at anna.price@chesterfc.com.
Blacon Youth Hub is excited to welcome back The Paint Republic for a fantastic art workshop for our members at May half-term! Previous workshops with The Paint Republic was hugely popular with lots of young people creating their own artwork with a professional artist. The workshop is on Wednesday 27th May from 11am to 12.30pm for ages 7-17 at King George V Community Sports Hub. Spaces are limited and there is a subsidised charge of £5 to attend the workshop with all materials and equipment provided. The Paint Republic offer unique art events and workshops that give people from all abilities the chance to get creative and express themselves in a non-judgemental, relaxed and fun environment. Find out more about them at www.thepaintrepublic.com. BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY All young people who wish to attend must be Blacon Youth Hub members. Running on Friday evenings at King George V Community Sports Hub during term-time, Blacon Youth Hub aims to offer a safe, inclusive space for young people to meet up with friends and have the chance to take part in activities, including sport, music, arts, movies, gaming and more. Times: Juniors 5.30pm-7pm and Seniors 7.30pm-9pm Address: King George V Community Sports Hub, Blacon Avenue, Blacon CH1 5BD REGISTER NOW TO BECOME A MEMBER
Chester FC Community Trust is proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week alongside other members of the Mental Health Alliance in Cheshire West. Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from 11 to 17 May 2026, is an opportunity for us all to: • raise awareness of mental health and reduce stigma • encourage open conversations about wellbeing • highlight support available locally and nationally • celebrate the organisations, volunteers and wider communities making a difference every day. The theme for this year’s awareness week is action: for yourself, for someone else, for all of us. Action has been chosen because, while awareness is vital, real change comes when we take action too. Together, we’ve come a long way on mental health, but we can’t risk going backwards. There’s still much we can do to prevent people becoming unwell in the first place. Find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week At Chester FC Community Trust, our vision is to use the power of sport and the Chester FC badge to inspire and support people across our communities to lead healthier, happier and more connected lives. Much of our work focuses on improving physical health, mental wellbeing and reducing social isolation through inclusive activities and community support programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds. We deliver a wide range of programmes designed to support health and wellbeing, including physical activity sessions, walking football, disability sport, youth engagement, school programmes and community activities that help people build confidence, friendships and positive lifestyles. Our Mental Health & Wellbeing Football sessions support men and women who have experienced mental health problems by providing regular opportunities to play football, stay active, meet new people and access support without stigma. The sessions help tackle loneliness and social isolation while improving confidence, self-esteem and overall wellbeing, showing the positive impact that sport and community connection can have on mental health. We’re delighted to be part of the Mental Health Alliance in Cheshire West, a collaborative network of community sector organisations promoting positive mental health and offering a wide range of support for those who may need it. Get involved with the Mental Health Alliance
The Chester FC Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) is pleased to announce details of its Talent ID events and trials for the 2026/27 season. The ETC aims to identify and develop future potential players through a high-quality environment offering a training and games programmes, access to a strength and conditioning coach and physiotherapist, nutritional advice, and health and wellbeing support. Chester FC Community Trust was allocated an ETC licence from The FA in 2022 and for 2026/27, we will be continuing to operate four dual age groups at U10s, U12s, U14s, and U16s. The Chester FC Girls ETC is based at King George V Community Sports Hub on Monday evenings and offers: • 1.5 hours contact time per week • 30 weeks of technical coaching from September to June • Free training kit • Centralised 3G venue • Access to physiotherapist, goalkeeper coach and strength and conditioning coach • Games programme • Players continue to train and play for their grassroots club • CPD opportunities for grassroots coaches With a high level of interest expected in the Girls ETC, we will be hosting a series of Talent ID events during May half-term, providing players with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability, with those who standout invited to attend the trials in July. Chester FC Girls’ ETC Talent ID Events Tuesday 26th May – U10s & U12s Goalkeepers – 15:30-17:00 Tuesday 26th May – U14s & U16s Goalkeepers – 15:30-17:00 Wednesday 27th May – U10s Outfield – 15:30-17:00 Wednesday 27th May – U12s Outfield – 15:30-17:00 Friday 29th May – U14s Outfield – 17:00-18:30 Friday 29th May – U16s Outfield – 18:30-20:00 All Talent ID events will take place at King George V Community Sports Hub, Blacon Avenue, Blacon, Chester CH1 5BD. Chester FC Girls’ ETC Trial Dates Monday 20th July – U10s, U12s, U14s & U16s Monday 27th July – U10s, U12s, U14s & U16s Please note attendance will be via invitation and only those players selected to attend will receive details of the location and timings for the trials. Due to the volume of applications, we will be unable to respond to individual queries. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST For more information about the Chester FC Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre, contact ETC Manager Kalvin Williams at kalvin.williams@chesterfc.com.
The Chester FC Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) has been in action in the first quarter of 2026, playing in a series of fixtures, festivals and round-robins. Opponents have included Everton, Crewe Alexandra, Kidderminster Harriers, Westmorland ETC, West Riding Girls, St Helens Schools, Sefton Schools, and a touring USA side from South Texas, with all age groups producing impressive performances. Part of a national FA network designed to identify and develop future potential players, the Chester FC Girls ETC currently features 60 talented players across four age groups: U10s, U12s, U14s, and U16s. The training and games programme is designed to complement players’ existing grassroots football commitments, giving them the opportunity to learn, develop, and enjoy the game through a range of formats. The ETC runs over 30 weeks and Talent ID events and trials for the 2026/27 season will take place this summer. If you would like to register your interest, email community@chesterfc.com. Chester FC Community Trust has an exciting opportunity for a business to become the headline sponsor of the Chester FC Girls ETC for the 2026/27 season. For £4,000 + VAT, the package includes kit sponsorship (logo on front of kits for 60 players), facility advertising at the King George V Community Sports Hub, digital exposure (website, social media, newsletters), media coverage, and event participation. The sponsorship supports 30 weeks of technical training, matches and coaching for four age groups (U10s, U12s, U14s, U16s) delivered by the club’s Community Trust.
Congraulations to our Chester FC Scholars who were crowned champions of the inaugural Cambrils Scholarship Cup! The tournament was played over three days at the Mediterranean Sports Hub on Costa Dorada, featuring 14 teams, with other clubs represented including Marine, Southport, and AFC Telford United. The Seals, under the guidance of Dan Connell and Dan Ward, finished the group stage with a 100% record of four wins from four matches, before overcoming Dorchester Town in the semi-finals. In the final, goals from Sammy Dyer and Zach Abbott secured victory against Marine and ensured the trophy returned to Chester. Chester FC and Chester FC Community Trust wish to thank tournament owner Stuart Gelling, US Sports Scholarships and our education partner Access Sport College for organising and supporting such a fantastic event. If you would like to find out more about post-16 opportunities with the Chester FC Football Education Programme, which includes pathways for elite scholarships, football performance, and coaching, email community@chesterfc.com or visit accesssport.ac.uk/chester.
The Duke and Duchess of Westminster visited Chester FC Community Trust to hear how King George V Sports Hub, supported by the Westminster Foundation, is helping grassroots football and communities across Chester. Opened by the Duke of Westminster in June 2022, the £2 million facility has transformed an underused site into a thriving hub for sport, health and wellbeing, education, and community development. The visit was an opportunity to celebrate the success of a five-year partnership between Chester FC Community Trust and the Westminster Foundation, which awarded the charity £520,000 towards the scheme. That investment has helped Chester FC Community Trust to develop new programmes, expand its reach, and improve more lives, with the charity now engaging thousands of participants annually, and delivering £8.7 million of social value into the community – creating £10.20 of social value for every £1 spent – as demonstrated through its first independent social impact report, which was published recently. During the visit, The Duke and Duchess heard from the Chester FC Community Trust team about some of the programmes the Westminster Foundation has enabled, including Blacon Youth Hub, a Friday night youth club that now has 90 members, and Chester FC Football Education, a full-time course helping young people aged 16-18 turn their passion for sport into a career. The Duke and Duchess then headed pitchside to enjoy watching action from the Cheshire Girls Football League, which has been based at the sports hub since it opened. They heard from players, coaches and officials about how the facility has helped increase the number of girls playing football in Chester, and supports young players to reach their potential. Jim Green, CEO of Chester FC Community Trust, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Westminster Foundation for the belief, support, and commitment over the five years of this partnership. This is a partnership that has created a real legacy, and it was a huge privilege to welcome The Duke and Duchess to the sports hub and to see what we have created together.” Kate Brown, Director of the Westminster Foundation, said: “This five-year partnership with Chester FC Community Trust is an example why it’s important to make long-term investment in communities. We were proud to support this initiative from the outset, and it is fantastic to see how King George V Sports Hub has become a thriving centre of activity, helping more children and young people in Chester to access opportunities in the community.”
Chester FC Community Trust’s Healthy Holidays multi-sport camp is back for the Easter break! Supported by our principal partner MBNA, these free holiday camps encourage children to be active and make healthy choices. Healthy Holidays camps are held at King George V Community Sports Hub and give youngsters aged 5-11 the chance to take part in multi-sport coaching and games – including football, rounders, dodgeball, and more – with a healthy breakfast and lunch provided. Starting at 9am and finishing at 2pm, our Easter Healthy Holidays camp will take place on Wednesday 15th April 2026. The camps are free to attend for all children, howevers spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. Children will need sports kit, water bottle and weather-appropriate clothing. CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW If you have any questions or would like more information, please email community@chesterfc.com.
Chester FC Community Trust is hosting a Goalkeeping Camp and Girl Soccer School over the Easter holidays! Our camps provide youngsters with the chance to take part in a range of fun activities with Community Trust coaches, helping them keep active, meet friends and develop their skills. Chester FC Goalkeeping Camp Monday 13th April 10am to 2pm at King George V Community Sports Hub (CH1 5BD) Chester FC Girls Soccer School Monday 13th April 10am to 2pm at King George V Community Sports Hub (CH1 5BD) Our camps cost £18 per day and places for each session are limited with early booking encouraged. If for any reason an event is unable to go ahead or you cannot attend, you will receive a full refund. Children are requested to arrive ready to play in kit and bring appropriate footwear, waterproof jacket, a drink and a packed lunch in a labelled bag or lunchbox. BOOK BEFORE THE END OF MARCH AND SAVE WITH OUR EARLY BIRD PRICE OF £15 PER DAY Bookings can be made using the link below. CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW If you have any questions or would like more information, please email community@chesterfc.com.