As a Club, we strive to offer a safe & welcoming environment to everyone irrespective of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, ability or disability, faith or age. A value we’re proud to share with our new partners.
Reading XL FC are Reading’s first men’s football club which is dedicated to Weight Loss and Mental Health Support, by helping players lose weight and improve their mental wellbeing.
According to the Health Survey for England 2021, roughly 25.9% of adults in England are obese and 37.9% are overweight (but not obese). Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, are also common, with 1 in 4 people in England experiencing them each year, with our help we hope to see them attract more men who will benefit from this great initiative.
Nicola Evans, Reading City Football Club & Berks & Bucks Football Association Mental Health Ambassador had this to say:
“As the FA Mental Health Ambassador for Reading City FC I am delighted that we will be partnering with Reading XL FC, helping to advance mental health awareness and support within our football community.
At Reading City FC our aim is to foster an environment where mental health is openly discussed, understood, and prioritised. Mental health challenges can affect anyone, and we believe that a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body. Football provides an opportunity to support both body and mind, helping players thrive on and off the pitch.
We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have and the significant step forward in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in football.
We are excited about the opportunities it will bring to enhance the mental health and well-being of everyone involved with both Reading City FC and Reading XL FC.”
Ryan Sheehan, Our Club Inclusion Officer and Member of Berks & Bucks Football Association’s Inclusion Advisory Group had this to say:
“I am absolutely thrilled to have Reading XL FC joining our ‘Community Partner Club’ scheme. From what I’ve learnt about the project it is already having a positive impact on the lives of local men as it’s making them fitter and happier whilst making new friendships, new relationships, and new experiences for a lot of people and with our support I hope they’ll be able to reach even more men in Reading and the wider area.
As a member of the Berkshire & Buckinghamshire Football Association Inclusion Advisory Panel and the Inclusion Officer at Reading City Football Club, I am very passionate about making football well and truly a sport for all and I’m looking forward to supporting this great project and hopefully getting more people who may have previously felt isolated from football involved in the beautiful game.”
Chris Broadhurst, (Chairman & First Team Manager) at Reading XL FC had this to say:
“We are immensely proud to partner with Reading City FC as a ‘Community Partner Club’. Reading XL FC is fully committed to promoting physical fitness and mental well-being to the wider Reading community through football, offering a supportive and inclusive environment for men to lose weight and improve their mental health. This partnership will allow us to expand our reach and positively impact more lives in the community. Together, we aim to make football accessible to everyone, fostering a sense of belonging and enhancing overall quality of life for our players. We are excited to welcome new players to Reading XL FC via this partnership and look forward to working with Reading City FC as our partnership grows.”
Note for Editors
About Reading XL FC
Reading XL FC are thrilled to join Reading City’s ‘Community Partnership Club’ scheme. We believe strong communities are built on partnerships like this, we share the vision of football for all, and are very proud to offer weight-loss, football and more to the local community.
At Reading XL FC, we are passionate about bringing the joy of football to men who might otherwise miss out on the chance to play regularly. Our unique weight-loss football club is designed to support our members in achieving their fitness goals whilst having fun and staying active.
We are dedicated to offering a supportive and inclusive community where everyone feels welcome and encouraged to reach their full potential.
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If you love football, struggle with weight-loss or just want to live a healthier lifestyle why not give us a go..
