WE TAKE ACTION AGAINST INEQUALITY
Football should be for everyone.
At AFC Wimbledon Foundation, we believe football can be a powerful force for creating opportunity, challenging discrimination and bringing people together.
But access to football is not equal. Financial circumstances, gender, disability, discrimination and other barriers can prevent people from participating, progressing and feeling that they belong.
We take action against inequality by removing barriers, creating opportunities and making football more inclusive for everyone.
Here’s what that looked like across our community in 2025/26..
BREAKING DOWN FINANCIAL BARRIERS
For some children, young people and families, the cost of taking part in football can be a barrier.
Through our Club Together Appeal, we helped people access opportunities they may otherwise have missed.
We provided 377 free places to children and young people, helping them take part in football and Foundation activities without cost being a barrier.
We also provided 251 free places at our Kellogg’s Holiday Camps, giving more young people the chance to enjoy football, make friends and stay active during the school holidays.
Our community came together to make these opportunities possible, including £13,000 raised through the Wombles Walk towards the Club Together Appeal and a £7,000 donation towards girls-only places.
Because cost should never be the reason someone misses out.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS
Girls should be able to see themselves in football - as players, coaches, leaders and supporters.
Across 2025/26, our Women & Girls programmes recorded 1,218 participant engagements, creating opportunities for girls and women to take part, develop their skills and progress within the game.
We provided girls-only opportunities at Camps and Player Development Centres, creating spaces where girls could develop their confidence and enjoy football alongside others with similar experiences.
We also supported women to progress into coaching, with 14 accredited female coaches recorded through our 2025/26 activity and four new female coaching staff joining the Foundation.
We want to create a football environment where girls don't just participate - they can progress, lead and shape the future of the game.
CHALLENGING DISCRIMINATION
Taking action against inequality also means creating opportunities to learn, listen and understand experiences different from our own.
Throughout the year, we brought people together around issues including Black History Month, No Room for Racism, LGBTQ+ History Month, Men’s Health, International Women’s Day, Ramadan and Merton Pride.
These weren't just awareness days. They were opportunities for our participants, staff and wider community to have conversations, ask questions and learn from one another.
EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION
Our Stadium Schools programme gives young people the opportunity to explore equality, diversity and inclusion in a place that feels familiar and welcoming — their local football stadium.
In 2025/26, we welcomed schools into the stadium for 10 ED&I workshops.
Young people explored topics including racism, LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality through discussion and activities.
NO ROOM FOR RACISM
89 young people from Poplar Primary took part in a workshop exploring racism and inclusion.
LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH
We welcomed 57 young people from Dundonald Primary and 38 young people from Bond Primary to explore LGBTQ+ History Month and what inclusion means to them.
These sessions are about helping young people develop empathy, challenge assumptions and understand the importance of making everyone feel welcome.
MAKING FOOTBALL MORE ACCESSIBLE
Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy football and physical activity, including people with disabilities.
During 2025/26, we began developing our approach to disability inclusion — working with partners, exploring new opportunities and building our staff knowledge.
We also welcomed Conor from Special Olympics to deliver a Disabilities in Sport session for our team, combining classroom learning with practical activity on the astro.
We know there is more to do, and we are continuing to develop opportunities that make football and physical activity more accessible…
INCLUSION STARTS WITH OUR OWN TEAM
Creating a more inclusive community starts with looking at ourselves.
During the year, we reviewed our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion delivery plan and our organisational demographic data, helping us understand where we are and where we need to improve.
Our staff also took part in learning around Disabilities in Sport, Men’s Mental Health and LGBTQ+ History Month, alongside preparation for events such as the Rainbow Ball.
For us, inclusion isn't something that sits separately from our work. It is part of how we want to work with our participants, partners, colleagues and community every day.
INEQUALITY IS ABOUT PEOPLE
Behind every number is a person.
Our Club Together Appeal means a child gets to take part.
A girls-only session can give a young player the confidence to keep playing.
A female coach can show someone that there is a place for them on the other side of the touchline.
A school workshop can help a young person challenge an assumption.
An inclusive football environment can help someone feel that they belong.
That's why we take action against inequality.
Because football belongs to all of us.
WE BELIEVE FOOTBALL CAN CHANGE LIVES.
And everyone should have the opportunity to be part of it.
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