Eleven Sports Media and London Stadium are pleased to announce a partnership with Bloomsbury Football Foundation, a charity tackling health and social inequalities by using football as a vehicle for positive change and widening access to the sport for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Bloomsbury Football Foundation runs programmes across London that remove the financial barriers to participation, ensuring that every young person — regardless of background — can access the benefits of high-quality, well-organised football. Its sessions welcome girls, boys, young refugees and asylum seekers, and young people with SEN.
The partnership will see Eleven Sports Media and London Stadium fully fund 11 bursaries for young refugees and asylum seekers participating in dedicated community sessions — creating meaningful and lasting change in their lives.
Charlie Hyman, Founder and CEO of Bloomsbury Football, said: "We're delighted to be partnering with London Stadium and Eleven Sports Media. Every day, we see how the power of football can transform young people's lives — creating opportunity, confidence and a sense of belonging, particularly for those facing health and social inequalities. Through this partnership, we're excited to build on that impact and ensure more young people can access the opportunities football provides."
Matt Cairns, CEO of Eleven Sports Media, said: "Eleven is passionate about empowering communities and breaking down barriers to sport. This programme exemplifies our commitment to creating inclusive opportunities and strengthening the East London community through football."
Gary Bell, Commercial Director of London Stadium, added: "Eleven enables us to engage with the local community in a truly authentic way. This partnership with Bloomsbury Football Foundation is about investing in a programme that uses the power of football to give back, and it strongly reflects the core community values of the Stadium."
About Bloomsbury Football Foundation:
Bloomsbury Football Foundation is a charity founded in 2018. Its mission is to transform lives through the magic of football and tackle the socioeconomic crises facing young people in London. Bloomsbury understands that, when done properly, football gives young people purpose, belonging and progression. All the charity's sessions are designed to improve players' mental and physical health, teaching them life skills and building stronger communities.
Bloomsbury supports 6,500 players every single week across its programmes, of which over 2,000 are girls. The charity's financial support model tackles the barriers to play through offering bursaries to players from low-income backgrounds. Since its establishment, Bloomsbury has been recognised by the London Football Awards and the Sports Business Awards, and works with FIFA, Nike, Mastercard, and LALIGA.
For further information on the London Stadium Associate Partner Programme and upcoming community initiatives, click here.
To learn more about the Bloomsbury Football Foundation and the young people they support, click here.
“Eleven enables us to engage with the local community in a truly authentic way. This partnership with Bloomsbury Football Foundation is about investing in a programme that uses the power of football to give back, and it strongly reflects the core community values of the Stadium.”
