Grassroots youth football teams in Hull and its surrounding areas have had an extra reason to cheer on Hull City FC for the last four seasons. Over that time, Hull-based communications services provider KCOM has donated 16 full sets of kit each to more than 150 local grassroots youth football teams - benefitting more than 2,000 kids - for every home league goal scored by the club.
Last season, Hull City bagged 35 home goals, meaning that an equivalent number of local youth teams will be running out in new Kappa kit at the start of the coming campaign.
KCOM’s relationship with the Tigers goes back many years, first as stadium sponsor and, for the last two years, the club’s official Community Partner. In that role, KCOM’s focus is on helping out with local grass roots sports and community events, including initiatives around the company’s core area of expertise, namely connectivity and digital inclusion.
The kit scheme came about because KCOM, whose business is spread across a region where Hull City attracts widespread support, wanted to do something to help local youth football teams. The Kits scheme is open to all youth football teams in the Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire regions. Clubs register to be included in a draw, and among those pulled out of the hat this year are the magnificently named Tickton Titans, Gilberdyke Phoenix, Thorngumbald Barrons and Beverley Town Broncos.
On 1st August, three of the lucky winners visited The Tigers’ MKM stadium to collect their kit – supplied by Hull City FC’s technical kit partner, Kappa - and the rest of the winners will receive theirs in the near future. And another team will have their kit hand delivered by a Hull City player.
Neil Bartholomew, KCOM Consumer Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted that another 35 kids’ football teams right across the KCOM region will now be able to step out for the new season looking fantastic in their brand-new Kappa strips.
Working alongside Hull City as their official Community Partner enables us to make a real difference to local grassroots sports and give youngsters real opportunities get involved in sport. Good luck to all the teams taking to the field in KCOM Kits this season and good luck to the Tigers for their forthcoming Championship campaign.”
Ben Hassett of Barton Junior Under 11s Girls team, who will receive kit for next season, said:
"Winning a KCOM Kit is a game changer for our girls, giving them a real sense of pride in their club and helping to create a real team spirit. Getting the funding to get equipment for grassroots sports can often be a struggle, so to get a full Kappa Kit means there's one less obstacle to enable our girls to play the sport they love. It's a great initiative so a huge thankyou to Hull City, KCOM and Kappa for making it happen."
Joe Clutterbrook, Chief Operating Officer at Hull City added:
“The KCOM kits scheme has been extremely rewarding and had an enormous impact on so many young footballers and grassroots teams in our region. We are proud of our long-standing partnership with KCOM and delighted that local teams have been able to benefit from the performance of our players on the pitch.
“Inspiring the next generation is vitally important and many youngsters will now be stepping out for the new season fully kitted out in their brand-new Kappa gear. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to KCOM for their ongoing support.”
In a lovely bit of synergy, both KCOM and Hull City celebrate their 120th anniversaries in 2024. With an eye on the future, Peter Masters of Kappa UK & Ireland said:
“It’s fantastic to see a big Championship club and its Community Partner making such a big contribution to grassroots football. Kappa is delighted to be part of a scheme that looks to the future, helping and encouraging children right at the start of their football journeys.”
