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 over the past four 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
• Brookdale Park, Miles Platting
• Aquarius Centre, Hulme
• Clayton Park, Clayton
• Harpurhey Park, Harpurhey
• Nuthurst Park, Moston
• Moss Side Powerhouse (supported by C.P. Company)
• Bradford Park, Beswick (supported by C.P. Company)

Having already already opened 14 sites across Greater Manchester, City in the Community has achieved amazing things through the Healthy Goal initiative.

In 2026, a lot would not have been possible without funding from Manchester Active, a strategic delivery arm for Manchester City Council.

Their £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.