NFL Foundation UK and the Leeds United Foundation, NFL UK's and Leeds United Football Club's respective charitable arms and NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers, announced the Unlocking Potential program, which aims to provide greater access to educational and sporting pathways for marginalised young people in Leeds across the next three years.
NFL Foundation UK which has already developed projects in London, Greater Manchester and Birmingham, will now provide NFL Flag programmes with the partners to local community charities and schools in Leeds. With joint grant funding, the project seeks to tackle inequality and barriers to sport and deliver positive outcomes for young people ranging from improving their physical and mental wellbeing through increasing opportunities to education and employment.
The programme will be introduced to over 1,000 boys and girls aged 11-20 in primary and secondary schools in the first year, plus colleges and community groups in the local areas of Leeds, including Beeston, Hunslet, Holbeck and Chapeltown. Beneficiaries will receive training and equipment, alongside a variety of educational workshops, plus NFL themed events and flag football programmes all hosted at Elland Road. The ambition is to reach 3,000 participants by year three.
