Tees Active have been working in partnership with key organisations to apply for funding that will help increase physical activity levels in Stockton & Thornaby. An exciting new programme from Sport England and the Football Foundation, funded by the National Lottery, will support Stockton and Thornaby to get more active.

Active Through Football is providing North Riding FA with the funding to increase participation in football. North Riding FA succeeded through a competitive process to secure the £564,872 of funding, which was open to applications from communities who face some of the greatest inequalities to being physically active.

The funding will focus on driving participation from residents in the Roseworth, Hardwick and Salters Lane, Newtown, Stockton Town Centre, Parkfield and Oxbridge Wards in Stockton, plus Mandale and Victoria, Village and Stainsby Hill Wards in Thornaby. The scheme has four target audiences, namely: females, ethnically diverse communities, people with learning disabilities and people with mental & physical health conditions.

Whilst the programme is part of the national Active Through Football initiative, locally the scheme will be branded as ‘Shape the Play’, reflecting the support of local community members in helping to shape the nature of the funding bid and their ongoing involvement in helping to conceive and deliver the programme moving forward. Indeed, key members of the local community have been recruited as ‘Directors of Football’ to help promote the programme in their area and encourage participation in the scheme.

Leon Jones. Managing Director of Tees Active said “This is fantastic news for the community and Tees Active are delighted to be a partner in another positive scheme that will increase physical activity and fitness levels within Stockton and Thornaby. This will be a great opportunity to use football related fitness activities, which will appeal and engage with different sections of the community.”