NTFC Community Trust launch ‘Chances for Change’

NTFC Community Trust launch ‘Chances for Change’

Free 12-week programme will combine inclusive physical activity, lifestyle education and peer support in a welcoming environment accessible to adults who meet the eligibility criteria.

Northampton Town FC Community Trust are launching Chances for Change - a free 12-week health and wellbeing programme designed to be accessible to adults who meet the eligibility criteria and to help participants take realistic, sustainable steps towards becoming more active and managing their health with greater confidence.

The programme begins on Thursday 24 September 2026 and will run on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm, concluding on Thursday 17 December 2026. Sessions will take place in Carr’s Bar at Sixfields Stadium.

Chances for Change has been created in response to the barriers many adults face when trying to become active and manage their health. Adults living with obesity, long-term health conditions, poor mental wellbeing, low confidence or social isolation can find mainstream exercise settings inaccessible or intimidating. Cost, travel, limited awareness of suitable opportunities and previous negative experiences of physical activity can reinforce these inequalities.

An updated and rebranded version of the Trust’s proven Fit Cobblers scheme, Chances for Change will offer a welcoming first step for people who need additional support to begin and sustain positive change. Fit Cobblers has previously combined health education with weekly activities including walking football, circuit training, boxercise and jogging, alongside peer support and guidance towards local opportunities.

Each session will combine inclusive physical activity, practical lifestyle education and peer support, helping participants develop the knowledge, motivation and social connection needed to make lasting changes.

Participants will be supported to increase their physical activity, improve confidence and health literacy, strengthen mental wellbeing and reduce isolation. Rather than presenting activity as a short-term intervention, Chances for Change will help people establish manageable routines that fit their lives and can continue beyond the 12-week programme.

Akshay Mistry, Health & Wellbeing Officer at Northampton Town FC Community Trust, said: “We know that taking the first step towards a healthier lifestyle can feel difficult, particularly when cost, confidence, health conditions or previous experiences make traditional settings feel out of reach. Chances for Change is about creating an inclusive and encouraging space where people can move at their own pace, learn practical skills and feel supported by others. Our aim is to help every participant build changes they can sustain long after the programme ends.”

How to take part

Eligibility for the September cohort

·       Gender: Male only

·       Age: 30–70

·       BMI: 27.5 or above

Chances for Change is completely free to attend and is designed to provide an accessible, welcoming and supportive experience for adults who meet the eligibility criteria above. To find out more or register, visit https://www.abler.io/shop/ntfc_community_trust_%2Fsessions/product/Q2x1YlNlcnZpY2U6NjYyNzY%3D, contact Akshay Mistry at Akshay.Mistry@ntfc.co.uk or call 07876 355107.

Rosie's Story

Rosie first started her football journey at one of our Kid Cobblers sessions as a complete football beginner. It took a few weeks for Rosie to really embed herself into the sessions, but after a little while she started to become more comfortable socially in the group, and became a participant that others looked to for a friend or for help. Rosie quite quickly started to develop into someone keen to develop her football skills.

From the Kid Cobblers session, our coaches recognised Rosie’s keenness and positive development, and Invited Rosie to one of our Girls Skills centre sessions. At these sessions Rosie started confidently and got stuck in straight away using social and football skills she learnt at the Kid Cobblers session.

Rosie continued to attend the Girls Skills Centre sessions, and continued to thrive socially with players and coaches, but also her football ability was quickly improving. Because of this Rosie was recognised and scouted for the Northampton Town Girls U10s team. Rosie accepted the offer and joined the U10s side ready for her first ever football season.

Rosie found playing for Northampton Town a big jump up compared to the sessions she had attended before, however she took the challenge and continued her development.  Socially Rosie had bonded and made friends with her teammates and is a confident character in the group. Rosie had a huge moment of success when she scored her first ever goal just months after playing football for the first time at Kid Cobblers. Looking forwards now, Rosie is joining our Player Development Centre to get more football hours at a high standard to continue her progression.

Rosie is an excellent example of our successful Northampton Town W&Gs pathway, and as a club we look forward to her progress in the future, and hopefully into our women’s first team.

Parent Comment (Sarah)

Rosie started showing an interest in football at home, so I enrolled her onto the Wildcats sessions on a Monday. Rosie has gone from being a girl who had little knowledge around football, and her confidence wouldn’t allow her to want to take part in matches to her full potential. With the support of coach’s, her team mates and the parents, she now confidently goes out onto a pitch and will strive each time. The difference I have seen in her, in such a short space of time has been breathtaking. She is now very determined to keep pushing, and excel in football. We are all so grateful to the team at NTFC who has shown a young girl, that if she puts her mind to it, she can do anything. Myself, her Dad and her sisters are very proud of her

Rosie comment - I like playing for NTFC because coaches always support me and tell me how they think I can improve to help me play better in my matches. I have made lots of friends and we all play together working well as a team. I have never played football before this but I always get supported from everyone and now have the confidence to want to keep going higher in football.

Coaches comment (Gosia)

Rosie began her football journey about a year ago, joining our Wildcats sessions where she enjoyed playing casual football while steadily developing her skills. She quickly showed a genuine passion for the game, and I could see her great potential. As a result, we offered her a place in our U10 junior team starting August 2025.

Over the past six months, Rosie has continued to impress with her skill, dedication, and growing confidence both on and off the pitch. She is an absolute joy to work with and has a very bright future ahead of her

Northampton Town FC Community Trust and Aspire People Partner Collaborate on Educational Initiatives

The Northampton Town FC Community Trust Education department and Aspire People are joining forces to provide valuable educational opportunities and support young people across Northamptonshire.

Aspire Business manager, James Coffill: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Northampton Town FC Community Trust. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to creating a lasting, positive impact in the community and Schools across Northamptonshire. Together, we aim to help shape the future of young people across Northamptonshire — empowering them with the opportunities, guidance, and support they need to thrive.”

Lorna Stockwell at Northampton Town FC Community Trust, added: "We are delighted to welcome Aspire People as our Education Programme partner. Their expertise and passion for supporting young people aligns perfectly with the Trust's mission to use football and education as tools for personal growth and development."

For more information on the Community Trust Education department contact: lorna.stockwell@ntfc.co.uk

For more information on Aspire People contact: James Coffill - james@aspirepeople.co.uk

Ramadan Iftar Event Celebrated at Sixfields Stadium

On the 12th of March,  Northampton Town FC Community Trust, in partnership with Northants United Academy, organised the second Ramadan Iftar event at the stadium.

This event gets representation from all 14 mosques across the county from Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Daventry and Northampton.

Of the event Suraf Miah of Northants United Academy said:

‘Being able to listen to the ‘Call to Prayer - Azaan’ loud on the speakers in the stands of the stadium gives us all a great sense of belonging and a mutual connection with the football club. Being able to open our fast (Iftar) together is also a special act and appreciation. I think I speak on behalf of all the Muslim community that attended this Iftar event, it was an amazing Iftar event to be able to be apart of and sharing how and what we do for Iftar with all. We look forward to next years event Ramadan Iftar with NTFC.’

Zehra Dergin, EDIB lead at the Community Trust called it a ‘privilege to be able to invite so many people to the Northampton Town FC to share this event.’

She went on to say: ‘Witnessing the Azaan in the stadium was incredible and it was once again a reminder of how football is about community.  Being able to bring people together to share experiences and understanding is extremely powerful and important.  We want to make sure all communities feel welcome here.’