Retford FC
LITTLE CHOUGHS
The Little Choughs Initiative at Retford Football Club is committed to giving every child in our community the chance to discover, enjoy, and thrive in sport.
Through free, high-quality coaching and inclusive multi-sport opportunities, we aim to open the door for young people to experience football as well as a wide range of other activities.
Our Mission
As part of our growing mission, we will be contacting local sports clubs and organisations across Retford to create a united, all-access opportunity for children. By working together, we can build a network that allows every young person to explore the sport they love, without barriers.
Our Core Purpose
A core purpose of the Little Choughs Initiative is to support under-privileged families who may struggle with the costs of joining or subscribing to sports clubs. At Retford Football Club, we already assist families who are unable to meet monthly subs, and where we believe additional support is needed, the Little Choughs Fund steps in to ensure no child misses out. Through continued fundraising, we aim to expand this support so that children can access clubs and activities across the entire Retford area.
The Initiative
The initiative was first launched over five years ago, and we are now in a position to build it even further—reaching deeper into the wider community, not just within Retford Football Club. One example of this growth is our work with local schools. St Giles School has already visited the Rail Ground, taking part in a tour of our new changing rooms and using our facilities, including the 5-a-side pitch. We hope they, and other schools, can continue to use our site more frequently. Our aim is for schools to feel welcome not only to enjoy the sports facilities, but also to use our hospitality area as a space to host lessons and complete their school work within the ground.
Looking Forward
Looking forward, we plan to expand the initiative into all schools in Retford, encouraging greater participation in sport and helping children discover activities that inspire them. We also hope to broaden their experiences beyond training and matches by exploring opportunities for trips to Premier League and Championship games, as well as fixtures across the local non-league scene. By showing children football from top to bottom, we hope to ignite ambition and deepen their love for the sport.
Partnerships
Alongside our partnership with the Young Stars programme and Haydn Goddard’s Coaching School, and through collaboration with sports providers across Retford, our goal remains clear: to help every child enjoy the sport of their choice, build confidence, and have genuine opportunities to participate, progress, and belong.
Together, we are creating a community-wide pathway into sport—open, welcoming, and accessible to all.