The Leeds United Foundation are delighted to announce a club partnership with Wigginton Grasshoppers, providing a pathway for boys and girls at the club to maximise their potential both on and off the pitch.
Wigginton Grasshoppers FC 82 is a well-established and successful community football club based in the north of York, founded in 1982. With over 500 players, the club is proud of its inclusive and welcoming approach to football, and today, the player base is almost an even 50/50 split between boys and girls, as is the club committee.
Earlier in the summer, Leeds United Academy approached Grasshoppers to partner through their Community Link programme, which would provide a pathway for boys at the club to progress to academy football. The clubs then worked together to form an additional partnership for the girls with the Leeds United Foundation. The result is a true club-wide partnership.
This unique partnership will benefit everyone at both clubs, boys and girls, as the Foundation provides excellent opportunities to progress through the club, attend Leeds United Women’s fixtures, and provide exciting opportunities through the Female Coaching Programme.
Abigail Lee, Head of Women’s and Girl’s Football at the Leeds United Foundation said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Wigginton Grasshoppers. Their commitment to providing equal opportunities for boys and girls at every stage of the game really reflects our own values at Leeds United Foundation.
“At the moment we’re engaging with more than 1,200 females every single week within the Women and Girls department, and we’re proud to offer a pathway that starts at age six and runs right through into education and open age football. That pathway sits perfectly alongside what Grasshoppers are building, and it means that together we can provide genuine opportunities for girls at every level of the game.
“For us, it’s not just about supporting young players on the pitch but also creating pathways that allow them to grow as people - whether that’s developing into academy players, gaining experience through our participation programmes, or stepping into coaching roles as young female leaders.
“To see a club with such a strong focus on inclusion and progression is inspiring, and we’re excited about the opportunities this partnership will open up for girls and young women in particular. Together we can help ensure that every player has the chance to reach their potential and feel part of the wider Leeds United family.”
Dave Moorhouse, Chair of Wigginton Grasshoppers, added: “At Wigginton Grasshoppers we’re incredibly proud of our focus on equal opportunities for both girls and boys. Partnering with Leeds United and the Leeds United Foundation in this unique and inclusive way is really special to us because it provides the opportunity for everyone at the club to reach for their maximum potential.
"Working alongside such a respected club and foundation gives our young players genuine pathways to develop both on and off the pitch as footballers, as coaches and as great young people. It further strengthens our commitment to helping every child involved with our club - now and in their footballing future.
"It’s an incredibly exciting moment for everyone involved with Grasshoppers, and we’re looking forward to seeing the partnership grow and create lasting benefits for our players, coaches, and wider community."
