Celtic FC Foundation Expands London Outreach with Girls' Football Initiative
On a rain-soaked pitch in Brixton, south London, players and coaches from Dulwich Village Football Club gathered for a team photo during a tournament hosted by the Celtic FC Foundation. This event marked the launch of a new programme designed to provide girls and young women from underprivileged backgrounds in the local area with opportunities to play football. Despite the torrential weather, the enthusiasm remained undampened, symbolising the foundation's commitment to its widening mission.
Deepening Roots in the Capital
The initiative is part of several programmes established since the foundation began working in London to commemorate Celtic's 125th anniversary in 2013. Another notable project, based in Hackney, called Breaking Barriers, focuses on integrating refugee and asylum-seeking communities through sport. Vladyslav Kysil, a former professional player from Ukraine who has been coaching for the foundation since 2023, expressed his initial surprise at seeing a Scottish club so active in England's capital. "But when I read the history, I realised they have real heritage in London," he noted, highlighting the club's longstanding connections.
A Legacy of Charity and Community
Celtic was founded in 1887 as a charity by Brother Walfrid, a Marist Brother from Sligo, Ireland, who aimed to provide hot meals for Irish immigrants in Glasgow. After moving to London's East End in 1893, he continued his work with underprivileged children in areas like Bow and Bethnal Green. In his memory, the foundation has expanded beyond its traditional heartland, with programmes now in place in Sligo, several US cities, and London. Tony Hamilton, the Celtic foundation's chief executive, emphasised that this outreach is intrinsic to the club's identity. "This is not an exercise for us. This is inherent in who we are and it's in our DNA. It's why the football club was formed: we want to provide meaningful change for people who live in our communities," he stated.
Global and Local Impact
In Glasgow, the foundation runs long-standing schemes, such as working with young offenders recently released from prison and opening Celtic Park four times a week to offer hot meals to anyone in need, no questions asked. Additionally, a fuel bank initiative provides vouchers for electricity and gas, with 75% of the foundation's budget spent in the Glasgow area. A Christmas appeal donates £400,000 annually to local families, homeless individuals, and refugees, reflecting the club's immigrant origins. Since Hamilton's arrival in 1994, the focus has broadened to help other communities globally, including a £100,000 donation to feed people in Gaza through the United Nations World Food Programme and establishing programmes in US states like Connecticut and New York.
Funding and Fan Support
The foundation is primarily funded by Celtic and raises additional money through charity events such as golf days and biannual legends matches. It receives minimal public funding compared to English counterparts, which benefit from schemes like the Premier League's Kicks programme. Hamilton acknowledged the crucial role of Celtic supporters worldwide in enabling their extensive reach. "The Celtic supporters have got a really strong social conscience. A lot of them support what Celtic FC Foundation does and a lot of them do their own thing in their own community," he said, crediting fans and commercial partners for their generosity. This network of support helps sustain initiatives that transcend religious and cultural boundaries, focusing solely on community aid.
