Beth England’s brilliant goal may have taken the headlines on Sunday, but away from Stamford Bridge Chelsea Foundation staff were out in force to add to the spectacle of the day.
Chelsea FC Women’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Women’s Super League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday provided the backdrop for some exciting Foundation activity with events taking place simultaneously at Eel Brook Common and Chelsea Academy prior to kick-off.
At Eel Brook Common, just a stone’s throw from the Bridge, the Foundation joined forces with club sponsors Vitality, Sure and Nike for the Chelsea Foundation Fan Zone, featuring skills-based football challenges for kids, face painting and much more.
In total close to 1000 fans attended the event with many of those in attendance having the added bonus of being joined by current Blues stars Fran Kirby and Jess Carter, as well as global club ambassador and former Chelsea captain Katie Chapman.
The Chelsea trio took part in a Q and A with presenter Nicole Holliday before posing for plenty of photos and signing autographs.
Chapman said: ‘I love coming to these events and to do it knowing all those in attendance are going to watch the team at Stamford Bridge made it all the better!
‘There were boys, girls, adults, so many different people involved and that is great to see. The Foundation do a great job at engaging with the community and all those who came along seemed to have a great time.’
Just down the road at local secondary school Chelsea Academy, our girls' Premier League Kicks team played out their own fixture against their peers from Tottenham.
The game was played in great spirits and there was plenty of action with the scores tied at nine each by the time the final whistle blew and the players departed for the Bridge to enjoy the main event.
Senior social inclusion officer for the Foundation Andrew Ducille said: ‘The women’s game provided a great way to engage with our female participants.
‘The game between the Kicks participants was played in great spirit and then to top it off with tickets for the club’s first team game was amazing. A great experience for all who attended.’
For further info on the Foundation’s social inclusion programmes and our female only Kicks sessions contact [email protected]