Healthy Goals
The Healthy Goals initiative aims to uplift the physical and mental health of young people by creating new community football spaces in Manchester.
Thanks to the success of the campaign in it’s first three years along with the support of the fans and partners, City in the Community have so far regenerated multi-sports pitches at the following sites:
- Scotland Hall Road, Newton Heath
- Ladybarn Park, Withington
- Ravensbury Community School
- St Wilfrid’s C.E. Primary School
- Ashbury Meadow Community Primary School
- Southern Cross School
- Holy Name RC Primary School
- Bradford Park, Beswick (supported by C.P. Company)
Having already opened eight sites across Greater Manchester, City in the Community will now set its sights on a bumper 2026 thanks to funding from Manchester Active, a strategic delivery arm for Manchester City Council.
The £100,000 investment, which will also be matched pound-for-pound by City Football Group, means that by the end of 2026, City in the Community and its supporters will have invested almost £1.25million into community football spaces across Greater Manchester.
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS SAID
City in the Community participant, Kurtley, took part in the charity’s Kicks sessions – one of the programmes which will be delivered at the new football spaces built through Healthy Goals - for many years. Commenting on its impact, he said:
What I enjoy most about CITC’s sessions is that I get to play football and make new friends. It really helped me to get out of my comfort zone; making me feel good and like a better person. Before I came to CITC, I didn’t speak English at all, but the coaches really helped me to get involved and learn the language whilst playing football. We really built a formidable bond.
Another participant, Leila, added:
Coming to CITC sessions is like a break from everything else that I do - with just finishing high school, it became a real outlet. Joining the sessions has helped with everything from football skills to communication skills and leadership skills, so I’m really pleased to see that CITC has committed to creating more spaces where young people like me can play and learn.
With thanks to c.p. company
In July 2025, City in the Community announced a new multi-year partnership with Italian fashion brand, C.P. Company, enabling the charity to renovate three community or school pitches over the course of the partnership.
The first pitch regenerated through the partnership is located at Bradford Park, just steps from the Etihad Stadium.
Find out more about C.P. Company’s ‘There Is No Us Without You’ initiative below.
