Hundreds of children to benefit as UoG and Leckhampton Rovers FC team up

More than 150 young children are set to enjoy the health benefits of regular sport through a new agreement between University of Gloucestershire and Leckhampton Rovers Football Club.

The two parties have finalised a Community Use Agreement (CUA) for the football club to use the grass playing field and the Multi Use Games Area at the University’s Park Campus for the next five years.

Leckhampton Rovers – named the 2025 Gloucestershire Football Association Club of the Year – has around 800 players, with teams for men, women, and boys and girls in every youth age group. The club provides specialist provision for children with disabilities.

Under the CUA, the grass playing field and Multi Use Games Area at Park Campus will host Saturday morning sessions for Leckhampton Rovers’ two youngest groups – the Academy for boys and the Weetabix Wildcats for girls, both for children aged between four and eight.

During the 2025-26 football season, these sessions regularly welcomed between 150 and 200 children, giving them the chance to enjoy sport, spend time with friends and benefit from being physically active.

The CUA, which starts on 1 September 2026, follows the success of an informal arrangement with the University for the club to use the playing field and Multi Use Games Area. The new agreement will not affect student use of the facilities.

Leckhampton Rovers chairman, Andy Pitchford, said: “The new agreement with the University supports our continued growth and gives our volunteers some certainty about where we will be playing in the future.

“In addition to recruiting more children to the sport, we now have more than 150 volunteers, including many students, making a contribution to their local community.

“We are very fortunate to have access to such a wonderful and historic space. The grounds at Park Campus are beautiful and in good condition for sport, and the surroundings are safe and secure for the children. There are toilet facilities, ample car parking and we are able to offer refreshments while the children play.”

Matt Tansley, Head of Sport and Active Life at the University, said: “The agreement reflects the wider role the University plays in the county and our belief that, where possible, our facilities should play an active role in supporting the people and organisations around us.

“We are proud to work with organisations, like Leckhampton Rovers, that make a real difference to so many young people locally. The club has a strong local presence and plays an important role in bringing people together through football.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this agreement will have and to continuing our relationship with the club in the years ahead.”

Images: Some of the youngest members of Leckhampton Rovers having fun