Leveling the Playing Field: Supporting Affordable Football for Everyone

Football is often seen as the most accessible sport in the world, just a ball, a pitch, and a group of players. But for many grassroots clubs, the reality is quite different. Behind every weekend fixture and every smiling team photo lies a list of costs that make running a community football team a real challenge.

From the price of kits and training gear to pitch hire, referee fees, and even match-day transport, these expenses quickly add up. For the Milton Colts U13 girls’ team, who play more than 20 matches a season, those costs can be the difference between a young person getting involved or sitting on the sidelines.

Grassroots sports aren’t just good for the players, these initiatives help build stronger, more connected communities, and promote health, social connection and inclusivity. At Adder Technology, we’re proud to play a small role in keeping these program accessible.

John Halksworth, Senior Product Manager, who also volunteers as part of the U13 coaching team, sees this first-hand every week:

“It’s easy to think football is free, but for families, the costs can really stack up, boots, travel, training kits, pitch hire, you name it. We never want money to be the reason a girl can’t play. What’s brilliant about Milton Colts is that it’s a place where everyone belongs, no matter what. That’s why Adder’s support means so much. It helps us focus on what really matters: giving the girls a great experience and helping them fall in love with the game.”

At its heart, football isn’t just about competition, it’s about people, belonging, building confidence, and being part of a team. Supporting our local community is central to our values at Adder, and we’re pleased to have had the opportunity invest in that community and help keep sports accessible to everyone.