Rosslyn Park Opens its Doors to Local Young People
Wandsworth Grant Fund enables supervised Monday kickabouts
The all weather pitch is being made available to school children aged 11-18. Picture: Wandsworth Council
March 13, 2026
More young people in Wandsworth are enjoying free, safe and active after-school sessions at Rosslyn Park FC, thanks to new funding from the Wandsworth Grant Fund. The support has enabled the club to open its all-weather pitch every Monday afternoon for supervised kickabouts, giving 11 to 18-year-olds a welcoming space to play sport, socialise and unwind.
The initiative has already begun drawing in pupils from nearby schools, including Ark Putney Academy and Ashcroft Technology Academy, who have been organising their own friendly football matches on the pitch. The sessions run from 4pm to 6pm and are deliberately relaxed, allowing young people to choose how they want to use the space — whether that’s football, rugby or simply enjoying time outdoors with friends.
Karl Hoade, Rosslyn Park’s project coordinator and community lead coach, said the grant had made a meaningful difference. “We really wanted to be able to offer a safe space for young people to come and get active on their own terms, so the grant has allowed us to provide that,” he explained. “They can play football, rugby, or even just do their own thing. It’s allowing them to get creative with the space. They’ve been telling us how cool it is, and it’s nice to hear them spreading the word among their mates.”
Attendance has been steadily growing, with at least 15 young people turning up each week and more joining as the scheme becomes better known. Among the regulars is the under-14 girls’ rugby team from Ark Putney Academy, who use the pitch after their weekly training sessions as they prepare for Rosslyn Park’s National Schools Sevens tournament later this month. The tournament, running from 23 to 27 March, will bring thousands of young competitors to the club.
The grant will also allow Rosslyn Park to expand its offer in the coming months. Plans are underway to introduce supervised gym sessions for young people who want to learn how to use equipment safely and build confidence in fitness environments.
The Wandsworth Grant Fund award is one of several ways the council is supporting the club’s community work. Rosslyn Park also receives funding for its holiday activity and food (HAF) programme, and is backed through the Wandsworth Moves Together Grant Fund. This summer term, the club will run rugby and multi-sports sessions for young people from Paddock School and Beyond Autism, further strengthening its role as a hub for inclusive sport in the borough.
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