Kevin Phillips returns to Sunderland to unveil new Football Foundation PlayZone with EA SPORTS FC

Sunderland AFC legend Kevin Phillips cut the ribbon on a brand new Football Foundation PlayZone in Silksworth Sunderland, designed to create more opportunities for the local community to play sports and stay active.

The project has been made possible thanks to a grant of £198k from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation alongside an additional £60k from EA SPORTS FC FUTURES™ and £6k from Sunderland City Council.

Football Foundation PlayZones are small-sided facilities designed by the local community to host football as well as a variety of other sports. Sunderland City Council’s Active Sunderland team have led the development and engaged with over 900 local residents, to understand what the community wanted to see included. The new PLayZone in Silksworth Park will be used for football, netball and basketball.

Community engagement also identified a strong demand for the facility from older residents and individuals with disabilities in the surrounding area. As a result, the new PlayZone will host walking formats of all three sports.
 

“EA SPORTS FC FUTURES is built on a belief in football’s power to drive positive change in communities,” said James Salmon, Senior Director FC Brand Activation.

“Through our community impact programme, FC FUTURES, we’re proud to support projects like the Football Foundation PlayZone here in Silksworth – creating inclusive spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can play, learn, and connect through the sport they love. It’s a great example of what can be achieved when football comes together for local communities.”

Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re very excited to see Silksworth Football Foundation PlayZone opening in Sunderland after our success in securing funding for its development. This is all about creating safe, welcoming outdoor spaces that are easy for everyone to use, helping bring people together through sport and play.

“It’s part of our ongoing commitment to making sport, physical activity and play a key part of community life, the PlayZone will support health and well-being, as well as offering a place for families and friends to connect and enjoy being active together. It’s also brilliant that the Playzone has very much been shaped by the views of local people.”

This is one of two PlayZones due to be delivered across Sunderland, thanks to total £441k investment from the Football Foundation. The other facility, based in Southwick, is due to open later this year.

To find out more about the Football Foundation PlayZones programme, visit here.