Football kit giveaway aims to boost participation

Former England captain Millie Bright has helped hand out new kit to grassroots football teams in Leeds as part of an initiative aimed at keeping girls in sport for longer.

Thirty teams based in communities facing social or economic challenges were chosen by anti-discrimination charity Kick it Out for the donation.

Bright, who began her career at Doncaster Belles, said it was "vital" to keep girls playing sport.

"Every young girl deserves a kit, no matter what level they play at, and, whilst the top of the game is doing really well, real life still exists. People can't afford to give their children kits, but that doesn't mean they should go without."

Craig Gilmore set up Champions CIC, in Beeston, six years ago, to provide free Saturday morning training for children in the local area, as well as breakfast and lunch.

"With the cost of living, football's expensive [and] bills come first," he said.

"We work with a lot of families that can't afford the direct debits and the ongoing costs of grassroots sport nowadays.

"The new kit is amazing. It gives them that sense of belonging, that team pride, it's a massive boost for them."