Whipton Youth FC celebrate new kit

Whipton Youth FC U9s are celebrating after receiving a stylish new set of threads thanks to their local McDonald’s restaurant.

The Exeter restaurant has donated kit to the team as part of the new McDonald’s FA Charter Standard Kit Scheme.

Whipton Youth FC is one of the first teams to benefit from the new community programme, which, run in partnership with The FA and their official kit supplier Nike, enables all 4,600 FA Charter Standard clubs with a junior team in England the chance to order a new strip every year for the next four seasons.

The scheme has the potential to provide 250,000 kits - 150,000 of which are in England - and aims to help raise the standards of grassroots football for young aspiring footballers.

To mark the occasion, Whipton Youth FC held an event at Whipton Barton First School, where local McDonald’s franchisee and community football supporter, Dave Shawyer personally delivered the kit to the team before their match against West Exe Rangers. 

Dave Shawyer who owns the McDonald’s restaurant on Exeter High Street said: “Grassroots football clubs such as Whipton Youth FC are vital for communities, as they provide young people with the opportunity to get involved in football and feel part of a team.

Clubs give up countless hours in order to provide high quality football opportunities to members of the local community. It’s important that businesses like McDonald’s support them and help to create the best possible experience for young aspiring footballers.”

Established in 2007, Whipton Youth Football Club is a FA charter standard club, as well as a registered charity. It aims to provide a safe environment for children to play and enjoy football from a young age. Despite being one of the newest and smallest clubs in the area, they have quickly become known for producing talented players.

Kevin Richards, from Whipton Youth FC said: “We’re hugely grateful to McDonald’s for donating a new kit for our U9s team. An average team strip costs around £500 per season, so this really is a huge saving for us and means we can spend the money on other areas of the club that need it. 

"The kids are all really excited about wearing their new strip. It’s already helped to create a sense of unity and team spirit and I’m sure this will go a long way towards helping us to have a successful season.”

The FA’s Director of the National Game and Women’s Football Kelly Simmons said: “McDonald’s has been a long-term advocate of the grassroots game in England. The kit giveaway programme is yet another example of the wonderful work they are doing to support FA Charter Standard clubs.

“The opportunity to turn out in an impressive new Nike kit each season offers yet another incentive for children of all ages to participate in the National Game.”

To find out more about how McDonald’s and The FA support community football, please visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/BetterPlay.