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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.
The Chester FC Soccer School is back for the Easter holidays with places now available to book! Our popular camps are led by qualified, experienced coaches and support youngsters to keep active, develop their skills and make new friends during the school holidays. The Chester FC Soccer School will be running across both weeks of the Easter break at Goals Soccer Centre, offering skills coaching, small-sided games, tournaments and challenges for children aged 5-15. Our camps start at 10am and finish 3pm with places costing £18 per day – and you can take advantage of our Early Bird savings available when you book before the end of March. Spaces for each day are limited and early booking is 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 FOR THE EARLY BIRD PRICE OF £15 PER DAY Bookings can be made online using the link below. CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW If you have any questions or would like more information, please email community@chesterfc.com. CHESTER FC SOCCER SCHOOL EASTER 2026 Tuesday 7th to Friday 17th April 2026 10am to 3pm at Goals Soccer Centre with drop off and pick up at Deva Stadium
Blacon Youth Hub is thrilled to announce the launch of Plate Up, a six-week cooking club for young people aged 12 and over. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn practical cooking skills, gain confidence in the kitchen, and enjoy making delicious meals with friends. What to Expect The club runs on Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm, starting 11 April and finishing 16 May, with one session each week. Over six consecutive weeks, participants will: • Cook three individual meals that can be enjoyed during the session • Prepare three family meals to take home and cook for their household • Complete their own recipe cards for each meal • Take part in all preparation, cooking, and clean-up, with guidance from our Youth Worker, Liz Each young person will also receive their own cooking tray to keep, helping them practice cooking at home and develop independence in the kitchen. Who Can Join This club is designed for young people aged 12 and over, and spaces are limited to eight participants. This ensures everyone gets plenty of hands-on experience and support throughout the sessions. Cost The cost to attend the club is £15 for the full six sessons and this includes all ingredients, utensils and a cooking tray to keep. Why Join? Plate Up is more than just a cooking club. It’s a chance to: • Learn practical life skills in a fun, supportive environment • Build confidence and independence • Try new foods and recipes • Share delicious meals with friends and family How to Book Spaces are limited and can be booked via the link below: BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY If you have any questions or would like further details, email community@chesterfc.com. 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
Blacon Youth Hub is excited to welcome back The Paint Republic for another fantastic art workshop for our members! The previous workshop with The Paint Republic was hugely popular with lots of young people creating their own artwork with a professional artist. The workshop is on Saturday 14th March 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 coaches have delivered more than 100 hours of the Give Up Loving Pop (GULP) programme – helping hundreds of children make healthier choices around sugary drinks and understand the impact these choices have on their health, energy and performance. Supported with funding from the Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Public Health, the campaign is making a real difference in classrooms and playgrounds across Chester and Ellesmere Port, with 14 primary schools having benefitted so far. GULP was created to help children understand the health harms of overconsumption of sugary drinks, not only for the impact it can have on their teeth, but also the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Offered to schools free of charge, the programme is delivered over four weeks, with each session combining a workshop on oral health with fun sport and physical activity sessions, providing children with the information and tools to make healthier choices, challenging them to swap their favourite sugary drinks for water, milk and other less sugary drinks. Feedback from teachers has highlighted how effective the sessions have been in helping pupils understand how much sugar is hidden in some popular drinks, with encouraging reports of children making the choice to switch to healthier options, and also supporting school staff with CPD. The Community Trust is looking forward to continuing to deliver GULP and reaching even more schools and children as the programme continues If you’d like to find out more or organise GULP for your school, contact kalvin.williams@chesterfc.com or anna.price@chesterfc.com.
Chester FC Community Trust is proud to share our first Social Value Impact Report, showcasing the difference our work is making to individuals and families across Chester and Cheshire West. Produced in collaboration with Chester Football Club, the independently assessed report demonstrates the Community Trust creates £10.20 of social value for every £1 spent, helping to deliver £8.7 million of social value into the community. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT Working alongside the football club as its charitable arm, the Community Trust provides accessible, impactful programmes focused on health and wellbeing, education, social inclusion, and sport, supporting our vision of happier, healthier and fairer communities with Chester FC at their heart, where everyone is empowered to reach their potential. The Community Trust engages thousands of participants, including children and young people, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing social isolation, delivering activities including school and post-16 education programmes, mental health and wellbeing sessions, disability and walking football, youth hubs, and community fitness classes. The report, independently assessed by award-winning CSR consultancy Collins McHugh, demonstrates a Social Return on Investment of £10.20 for every £1 invested, underlining the value of trusted local charities. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT Jim Green, CEO of Chester FC Community Trust, said: “It gives me great pride to see the impact of our work captured in this report, and it reinforces how important what we do is to our communities. “The report is testament to the hard work of our staff and volunteers, the support and belief of our partners and funders, and the commitment and energy of everyone who engages or participates in our programmes. “I hope this report illustrates the breadth and depth of the Community Trust’s work, and shows that, while football will always be at our core, we are now about so much more, and we will continue to listen, and respond, to the needs of our community.” The report also highlights how THE Community Trust aligns its work with Cheshire West and Chester Council priorities, supporting improved health and wellbeing, education and skills, social inclusion, and opportunities for young people and older residents. Key Headlines • £8.7 million of total social value generated across Chester and surrounding areas. • £10.20 of social value created for every £1 invested. • Thousands of people supported through programmes delivered by Chester FC Community Trust across sport, health and wellbeing, education and social inclusion. • £1.9 million of social value generated through Social Inclusion programmes, supporting reduced loneliness, improved mental health, increased social integration and children’s wellbeing. • £1.7 million of social value linked to improved health and wellbeing, including increased physical activity and better mental health outcomes. • £4.6 million of social value aligned to education, skills and social support, helping young people and adults develop confidence, qualifications and pathways into employment. • Significant outcomes for older adults, including reduced loneliness and increased social connection through walking football, walking netball and wellbeing activities. • Inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities, with dedicated disability football and accessible community programmes delivered throughout the year. • Strong contribution to local priorities, with activity directly supporting Cheshire West and Chester Council objectives around health, education, social cohesion and age-friendly communities. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT
Chester FC Community Trust is hosting a Goalkeeping Camp and Girl Soccer School this February half-term! 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 16th February 10am to 2pm at King George V Community Sports Hub (CH1 5BD) Chester FC Girls Soccer School Monday 16th February 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 JANUARY 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.