Flutter’s Cash4Clubs programme, run in partnership with Sported, has been named Best Grassroots Initiative at the Women’s Football Awards, recognising the programme’s contribution to women’s football and community sport across the UK and Ireland. This recognition reflects Flutter’s Positive Impact Plan, which commits the company to reaching the lives of 10 million people in the communities where it operates by 2030.

Cash4Clubs, which awards £500,000 annually to community clubs through grants of £2000, has backed 86 grassroots football initiatives supporting women over the past three years alone.

The award was presented during a star-studded ceremony which included a special opening address by Prince William celebrating the continued growth of the women’s game.

Women’s clubs backed by Cash4Clubs this year include Cloughey FC, which is establishing the only women’s football team in the lower Ards Peninsula ahead of its first competitive season in 2026 and Chorley Women FC, a Lancashire based volunteer run FC founded in 1983, which provides over 50 women from a wide range of backgrounds, including many from low-income households, the opportunity to play.

Flutter beat off competition from Liverpool, Man City and McDonald’s to the top prize, awarded by Gabby Logan and Jamie Carragher.

Former England and Liverpool FC legend Jamie Carragher said: “The establishment of the Women’s Football Awards three years ago broke boundaries as the first event to celebrate the astounding achievements of women in our sport. Through their contributions to sport at a grassroots level, Flutter’s Cash4Clubs program received the award for Best Grassroots Initiative because it has created transformational impact for hundreds of grassroots sports groups and thousands of individuals across local communities, providing safe, inclusive and accessible opportunities for women to participate in sport, while tackling barriers linked to poverty, inequality, confidence and belonging.”

Cash4Clubs has become one of the UK and Ireland’s largest grassroots sports funding initiatives since launching in 2008.

Flutter UKI – whose brands include Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Betfair, tombola and PokerStars – has contributed more than £7 million to grassroots sport, helping local clubs improve facilities, buy equipment, fund coaching and expand access to sport in communities across the UK and Ireland.

Kevin Harrington, CEO of Flutter UK & Ireland said: “Cash4Clubs is a cornerstone of our commitment to reach the lives of 10 million people in the communities where we operate by 2030.

“Community clubs are the bedrock of sport in the UK and Ireland. Many operate on shoestring budgets, yet they deliver extraordinary impact for their members and wider communities. Unfortunately, without support from programs such as Cash4Clubs, many of these vital community institutions simply won’t survive.

“We’re proud to play our part and honored to be recognized at the Women’s Football Awards.”

Sported CEO Sarah Kaye said: “We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Flutter and the Cash4Clubs initiative. It is absolutely sector-leading and shows the incredible change that can be made across communities when corporate and charity initiatives come together.”

Almost 1500 community organisations and charities bid for a grant through the Cash4Clubs 2025-2026 program. Nearly half of those receiving a grant this year are based in some of the most deprived parts of the UK and Ireland. And the grants, expected to reach over 50,000 people, will support over 40 different sports, from football, to yoga, bowls and swimming.

Among the organisations supported through the programme are:

• Chorley Women FC, a Lancashire based volunteer run FC founded in 1983, provides over 50 women from a wide range of backgrounds, including many from low-income households.

• St James Swifts Ladies FC, a Belfast-based women’s football club providing a safe and inclusive environment for women to play and compete year-round.

• Alway FC, in Newport, Wales is using funding to launch a new women’s football team and create opportunities for physical activity, social connection and wellbeing.

• Brighton Seagals FC, an award-winning grassroots club providing inclusive football opportunities for women, non-binary and trans adults.

• Cloughey FC, which is establishing the only women’s football team in the lower Ards Peninsula ahead of its first competitive season in 2026.

A representative from Cloughey FC said: “The grant will help us get the women’s team a brand new kit of their own for the start of their first ever competitive season in 2026.”

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