Gareth Southgate Teams Up to Get Kids Playing Sports Again

Every child should be able to play football or join their PE class, but thousands of UK families are being forced to choose between groceries and gym shoes.

Former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate is stepping up to change that. He's partnered with The Multibank charity to help families access sports equipment their kids need to stay active.

"Some families are really challenged on that. They can't afford to buy kit," Southgate told reporters. The knighted football legend warned that economic pressure is pushing more children toward screens instead of sports fields.

The problem is bigger than most people realize. New research shows one in six parents have watched their children give up sports entirely because they couldn't afford the necessary equipment.

Three out of four parents believe this creates unfair barriers for kids from lower income families. Football boots, trainers, and basic sports kit have become luxury items for families already struggling to cover essentials.

Southgate knows what's at stake. "To be active and outside is really important," he said. "Every child deserves the right to play sport. There are so many other aspects to playing sport that are helpful."

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, now president of The Multibank, personally asked Southgate to join the campaign. The charity has already distributed over 16 million items to support more than two million UK families.

The Ripple Effect

Amazon is matching every third purchase of selected sports products with a donation to The Multibank between May 7 and June 4. The initiative takes surplus goods that would otherwise go to waste and redirects them to families who need them most.

Sports equipment consistently ranks among the most requested items at Multibanks across the country, alongside everyday essentials like toiletries and nappies. Football boots and sports kit are helping kids rejoin teams and participate in PE classes.

The charity works through a nationwide network of community organizations to reach families where they are. It's transforming what families consider possible for their children.

Parents earning under £30,000 cited football as the main activity their children had to abandon. Now those same families can access the equipment that keeps their kids healthy, social, and off screens.

Getting kids back on the playing field doesn't just improve their physical health—it builds confidence, teamwork, and friendships that last a lifetime.