The funding forms part of the Players’ Project Pilot, an initiative to strengthen the bond between players, communities and football clubs. By placing players at the heart of local projects, it aims to tackle inequalities, raise aspirations, build stronger communities and inspire lasting change.

Launched in 2022 and now entering its third year, Lots to Explore provides free weekly sessions for Year 9 girls in Camden, Hackney, and Islington. Over the past three years, participants have collaborated with creative partners such as Stazzy the Creator (artwork), the London Screen Academy (special effects make-up) and Maheni Arthur (spoken word). Thanks to this new funding, the programme will expand to include additional holiday sessions and alumni activities. Arsenal in the Community will continue working closely with Lotte to deliver a unique programme that blends football with creative opportunities for personal growth.

“The girls play football around 25 per cent of the time, but the other 75 per cent is spent exploring the things that helped me grow into the person I am today,” said Lotte. “It’s about developing beyond football and learning to appreciate the wider world. The sessions bring together the passions that shaped me, and I hope they can spark the same in these girls.

“Lots to Explore is about freedom – the chance to discover what you enjoy, to see if it’s something you want to pursue further, and to use football as a gateway to those opportunities. Every Tuesday, I’d like to think these girls come here and feel that sense of freedom.”

“It’s exciting to be able to extend this to more young people in the community and give some of our older squad members to chance to try out coaching the younger ones. This is possible because of the funding from the Premier League and the PFA, which we really appreciate.”

Open to professional football club charities and player foundations, the Players’ Project Pilot harnesses players’ personal interests to help address important societal issues.

Premier League Director of Community Nick Perchard said, “The Players’ Project Pilot is a powerful initiative that places players at the heart of community work, allowing them to use their influence to make a real difference. 

“By combining players’ passions with the proven delivery of professional football club charities, this funding will respond to local need and create meaningful impact that extends far beyond the pitch.” 

Professional Footballers’ Association Chief Executive Maheta Molango said: “Supporting the work that our members do in their communities has always been a priority for the PFA and I’ve personally enjoyed seeing the impact that they have and the way they use their platform. 

“I know from conversations with players that they want to use their position to highlight work in their communities that really matters to them and where they feel that personal connection. 

“We’ve been keen to give them opportunities to do that, and the Players’ Project Pilot is an excellent way of growing that connection between our members and the work they do off the pitch.” 

In addition to the Players’ Project Pilot delivered by Arsenal in the Community, the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) will be investing in a further 16 projects across England and Wales. Each charity has received a grant of up to £25,000 from the Premier League and PFA, which will be distributed by the Premier League Charitable Fund. 

Funded projects within the pilot have been designed to positively impact people of all ages and include intergenerational activities designed to support female carers, inclusive initiatives for people living with dementia and intervention programmes devised to tackle child criminal exploitation.  

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