Premier League Kicks secures funding to keep young people active in Swindon

A community sports programme helping young people stay active, build confidence and steer away from anti-social behaviour will continue for another year, after funding for the Premier League Kicks programme in Swindon was extended.

The programme, which is run by Swindon Town FC Community Foundation and jointly funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and the Premier League Foundation, works with young people aged 8–18 across the town.

Since launching in 2019, Premier League Kicks has provided free, regular free football sessions designed to offer a safe space to socialise, stay active and access positive role models, while also helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve community safety.

Alongside existing sessions including Friday night football at Foundation Park and Moredon Sports Hub and activities in local neighbourhoods, the scheme has expanded to include multi-sport sessions such as netball, tennis, tag rugby, basketball and badminton.

The continued investment is part of the Police and Crime Commissioner's wider work to prevent crime before it starts by supporting projects that give young people positive opportunities and stronger connections with their communities.

The funding comes as anti-social behaviour across Wiltshire and Swindon continues to fall, with early intervention and partnership working playing an increasingly important role alongside neighbourhood policing.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson believes sport can play an important role in shaping young people:

““This generation has come through covid and it has made them more vulnerable to unhealthy and dangerous pressures.

“The environment created at PL Kicks in Swindon instils compassion and responsibility, and I know from personal experience that this is going to help these young boys and girls become better citizens in the future. Adding in the multi-sports sessions to the free football, improves the accessibility and wider appeal of the scheme.

“This isn’t just an investment in free sports, this is an investment in the future of Wiltshire and Swindon.”

 So far, hundreds of young people have taken part in sessions, which combine sport with wider support such as mentoring and workshops on key issues.

The programme focuses not just on physical activity, but also on building confidence, improving wellbeing and helping young people develop important life skills.

Andy Tye is the Assistant Head of the Swindon Town Community Foundation:

“For us as an organisation, we’re serious about delivering good quality and providing good experiences for young people.

“Since we’ve been here over the last six years, we’ve seen real improvements in this particular part of the town. It’s become a lot safer, a lot more welcoming environment and that’s what these sessions are all about.”

By continuing funding and widening the activities on offer, partners say they want to make sure even more young people can get involved and benefit.

All sessions are free and open to young people aged 8–18 in Swindon.

Details of the different sessions, including football and multi-sport opportunities are available through the Swindon Town FC Community Foundation here.

Published Monday 1 July 2026