This weekend the work of the Chelsea Foundation will be showcased at Chelsea FC Women’s fixture against Bristol City and former captain and current club ambassador Katie Chapman has spoken of her pride at being involved with the organisation.
The work of the Foundation will be celebrated at Kingsmeadow on Sunday as the Blues take on Bristol with a host of activities taking place before kick-off and at half-time.
Chapman spent four years at the club between 2014 and 2018 before moving in to an ambassadorial role where she has continued to play an active role in the Foundation, supporting numerous events.
Much of the 37-year-old’s involvement has focused on supporting women and girls either in the classroom with the Foundation’s education team or on the field with a ball at their feet.
And Chapman spoke passionately about that work and the overall impact the Foundation has on our communities.
She said: ‘For me it was always important to interact with the community, to let them know that we are just normal people, and to also let them know about the women’s game.
‘Having that connection with the younger generation coming through and trying to educate and inspire them to be the best that they can and follow their dreams is massively important to me.
‘The Foundation give opportunities to people that don’t get access to go and watch games or be involved in a Chelsea set-up, it gives them the opportunity to work with our Foundation staff and experience Chelsea.
‘I’ve always seen it as something I’ve wanted to get involved in, I enjoyed being a part of the Foundation as a player and I enjoy it now in my role as ambassador.’
Back in 2018, Chapman joined the Chelsea Foundation and our global charity partner Plan International on a trip to Jordan where she helped deliver coaching sessions at the Azraq refugee camp, something our former skipper will never forget.
Chapman added: ‘Going to Jordan was another great opportunity that the Foundation gave me.
‘To be over there, putting smiles on the faces of the children that don’t get to do a lot of anything was something I will remember forever.
‘Over there the children play in the sand and in the dirt and making things out of anything they can find so it was great to go over there with the Foundation and do coaching sessions.
‘The excitement and the happiness during the sessions, with children of all different age groups, definitely put a smile on my face as a parent and it will be an experience I will never forget.’
Sunday’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League match with Bristol City kicks off at 2pm and tickets are still available to buy at £1 for juniors (under-20) and seniors (over-65) and £9 for adults.
Click here to buy your tickets!