Mars Chocolate UK and The FA offer the chance to Just Play for FREE

June 13, 2014 /3BL Media/ -  To celebrate this summer’s tournament in Brazil, The FA and Mars Chocolate UK have teamed up to offer free Just Play kickabouts to fans up and down the country.

The offer begins on 12 June – two days before England’s opening game against Italy – and runs until the Final on 13 July.

During that month, The FA Mars Just Play organisers will put on over 1,400 kickabouts nationwide, catering for up to almost 20,000 participants. It’s all part of the work The FA and Mars are doing together to make a lasting difference to adult football. Over the next four years, the aim is to offer one million Just Play opportunities, with more sessions in more places across the country.

England manager Roy Hodgson is a big supporter of The FA Mars Just Play initiative and the opportunities it provides to people that may not otherwise have access to the required facilities.

He said: “This is about playing football for fun. Playing football because you love to play and I think there’s lots of people out there who love to play football.

“So it’s terrific that you can come and play yourself and meet up with likeminded people.”

Fiona Dawson, President of Mars Chocolate UK, said: "We're thrilled to be able to treat the fans to free Just Play sessions while football fever is at its highest this summer. There's no better time to put your passion for the beautiful game back on the pitch.

"Mars is really proud to continue its work with The FA to make a lasting difference to adult football well beyond this summer of sport - over the next four years, we'll be working to create one million opportunities to participate in a kickabout close to home.”

The FA Mars Just Play initiative, now in its third year, has centres all across the country open to adults looking to get back into fun, flexible football. Just Play supplies everything that you need – all players need to bring is their kit, their boots, and themselves – and we take care of the rest.

To get involved, anyone over 16 can simply visit TheFA.com/justplay enter their postcode, and book themselves into a local kickabout.

Search. Turn up. Play – it’s that simple.

---ENDS---

Notes to editors:

Just Play

Launched in 2011, Just Play sessions are run all year round by FA-trained Just Play organisers.

Since its introduction, the programme has helped to boost football participation numbers by:

Creating 200,000 adult places at ‘Just Play’ kickabout sessions Opening over 200 ‘Just Play’ centres nationwide Supporting over 400 ‘Just Play’ organisers

Each session typically includes a number of activities – making sure there’s something for everyone, regardless of age, ability or gender.

Across the country there are 30 female-only kickabouts, 15 for those with disabilities and 20 walking football Just Play sessions – specifically designed for the more senior football fan!

Terms and Conditions:

England residents 16+ only. 1 free football session per person, between 12.06.2014 and 13.07.2014 at participating venues only. Book online at TheFA.com/my-football/justplay

About The FA Supporting football since 1863

The FA is the not-for-profit, governing body of football in England. It grows participation, promotes diversity and regulates the sport for everyone to enjoy.

Seven million players of all ages, 400,000 volunteers, 300,000 coaches and 27,000 qualified referees help The FA keep the grassroots game going.

The FA runs 24 England teams, across men’s, women’s, youth and disability football, utilising the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park.

Football is the nation’s favourite game. The FA aims to grow it further.

To find out more about events and to get involved in football, visit TheFA.com and follow @FA.

About Mars and Football:

• In 2006, the Mars Bar changed its name for the first time in its history to ‘Believe’ for the World Cup in Germany
• In 2008, the ‘Mars Balls Get Britain Playing’ campaign saw Mars give away 100,000 footballs
• In 2009, Mars become an Official Supplier with The FA which included showing the support for the team by adding the three lions logo to the bar
• In 2011, Mars launched the biggest adult grassroots football programme, ‘Just Play’
• In 2013, Mars and The FA renewed their partnership for another four-year term, pledging to offer one million Just Play opportunities between now and 2018

About Mars, Incorporated

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company.

In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar.

In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the objective of creating a “mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders” – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today.

Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 72,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, KITEKAT®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA™ and WISDOM PANEL™.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com. Follow us: facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal,youtube.com/mars, linkedin.com/company/mars