On Thursday 24 June, Chancellor Rishi Sunak visited Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub for a special girls’ football session run by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust.

With more than 200 girls in attendance from the local area, the visit came after the Government committed £25 million of new funding to support the growth of grassroots football. Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub is part of the separate Hubs programme, which has received £4 million from the government-backed Football Foundation, delivering for community and grassroots sport, creating new jobs and boosting people’s health and wellbeing.

Delivering over 50 weekly sessions, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust’s top goal is to make sure youngsters feel safe and are having fun.

Speaking about his visit to Gunnersbury, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: “Grassroots football and facilities like Gunnersbury Park play a vital role in local communities, supporting jobs and developing the stars of the future.

“That’s why we invested £25 million of new money at the Budget earlier this year - building on the £600 million of targeted support we have provided for sport throughout the pandemic.

“Government support like this will help the home nations find and train up the stars of the future and I urge everyone to get behind England and Wales as the remaining British teams in the knockout stages of Euro 2020.”

Amber Lloyd, Head of Female Football Development at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, added: “With our brand-new facility at Gunnersbury Park we’re able to offer many different girls-only football sessions, ranging from community engagement to our football development centre.

“As well as the AstroTurf where our football is based, we have indoor facilities at Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub where we offer gymnastics, basketball, badminton and gym sessions. The Club being in the Premier League is a massive boost for the Trust – it’s forever growing and we hope for further progress this year.”

There’s a session for everyone at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust. To find out more click here.