New facility for Premier League Kicks in Banbury

Last Friday, Oxford United in the Community attended the opening of a new 3G pitch in Banbury.

Oxford United in the Community will be using the new facility in Princess Diana Park to deliver free Premier League Kicks sessions to the local community.

Premier League Kicks, funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund, uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales.

Oxford United in the Community coach, Mark Thomas, has been delivering the programme for nine to 18-year-olds in Banbury since 2021.

He said: “Premier League Kicks is so important to this community. It’s one of the most deprived areas in Oxfordshire so it’s really important that we have free-to-access provisions so that young people can have the opportunity to play sport.

“They develop themselves and also engage with fantastic workshops that will hopefully give them important life skills as well.”

The new 3G pitch was opened as part of a collaboration between Cherwell District Council, The Football Foundation and Banbury Town Council. 

Councillor Rob Pattenden said: “This is going to have a huge impact on the Banbury community and we’re really proud to have it here.

“We’ve got loads of people who absolutely love football and this facility will be a great place for those to come down and have fun.”

Oxford United in the Community will be one of 93 club charities supported to deliver Premier League Kicks in the 2025/26 season, as the Premier League’s flagship community programme marks its 20th anniversary.

To find out more about the programme, visit HERE or email [email protected].