LEICESTERSHIRE HOMEBUILDER SPREADS FOOTBALL FEVER AHEAD OF WORLD CUP

Barratt Homes North Midlands has donated a number of mini footballs to two nurseries in Melton Mowbray to get its children in the mood for the World Cup.

B&DWNM – SGB-4905 – Two kids having a kickabout at Little Rascals Nursery in Melton Mowbray

Little Rascals Day Nurseries, which has two facilities close to the housebuilder’s King’s Meadow development, received 25 of the footballs ahead of one of the world’s most eagerly-awaited sporting events; set to begin on 20th November in Qatar.

It’s been a big year in the country for football, having already celebrated the Lionesses historic Euro 2022 win, and Barratt Homes has ensured young children are still enthusiastic about the sport as England prepare for the World Cup.

Stevie Townend, Nursery Manager at Little Rascals Day Nurseries, said: “It is great that Barratt Homes is encouraging children to become active in their play. The children have been able to use the footballs to develop catching, throwing and kicking skills together. The children have loved working together to create games using the footballs.”

According to Statista, football is not only the most popular sport to watch in the UK, but also the most popular team sport to participate in, with roughly 1.5 million people in England playing at least twice per month in 2021. It’s reported that 44.7% of 11 to 15-year-old and 31.4% of five to 10-year-old children play football on a monthly basis.

Barratt Homes’ donation to the nurseries on Burton Road and Welby Lane was not only made to encourage young children to stay active, but also to inspire the next generation of Lions and Lionesses.

The Lionesses rode to victory in the Women’s Euros this summer, and the men’s team will be hoping to replicate the success of the women in Qatar.

Mark Cotes, Managing Director at Barratt Homes North Midlands, said: “As a leading housebuilder, we aim to support the communities in which we build and this includes helping children to stay active and encourage them to follow in the footsteps of their role models.

“We hope the children at Little Rascals Day Nurseries will enjoy using the footballs throughout the World Cup and continue to show an interest in sport.”