This week former professional goalkeeper, David James MBE, officially opened a football recycling centre at the Utilita Energy Hub in Newport – and is inviting parents to help themselves to free, good-quality football boots in anticipation of their return to school later this month.
Data shows that on average, back-to-school items cost UK parents £191 per child, with PE kits proving one of the most expensive categories.
Utilita’s Football Rebooted initiative is rehoming used boots up and down the UK – and is football’s biggest ever environmental movement, facilitated by hundreds of collection boxes – including the one at the Energy Hub on Newport High Street.
The need for such a movement was highlighted in Utilita’s recent Price to Play Report, which found that 34% of parents fear they will not be able to afford kit for the next football season.
David James MBE, former England International goalkeeper, grassroots football champion and ambassador of Utilita’s Football Rebooted recycling campaign, said:
“The cost of football kit cannot be allowed to be a barrier to playing football. There is enough for everyone – we just need to think twice about throwing away perfectly good items.
“Football Rebooted is the game’s biggest ever environmental movement, and there are enough boots for every child who wants to play – no matter what the surface.
Anyone with spare boots can deposit them in the dedicated collection point at any of the Energy Hubs, and those requiring boots, including individuals, families, clubs or schools can simply stop by and ask, or call ahead and check what sizes are available before coming to collect them.
Bill Bullen, Utilita’s Founder and CEO of Utilita Energy comments on the importance of the Goals partnership:
“Our Energy Hubs will not settle for being in a community – they want to be a part of it. Using them as part of Football Rebooted will further extend the campaign into communities that aren’t yet being reached by collection points in schools and clubs.
“We really value every bit of support the Football Rebooted campaign has attracted so far, and we are well on our way to rehoming one million pairs – putting them on the feet and preventing them going landfill.
Football Rebooted boxes can also be found at almost every Goals Soccer Centre in the UK, a host of schools and various other community venues.
That photo is not Newport Isle of Wight. See reflection in window of Greggs. No Greggs in the Island.