From Get Girls Playing to Fixtures Breakfast: June 2026 Round-up

June was another action-packed month for Foundation of Light, as we celebrated female sport and started preparations for the 2026/27 season.

Get Girls Playing Month

Throughout June, Foundation of Light has helped get thousands of girls playing football and sport as part of Get Girls Playing Month.

Get Girls Playing Month was part of the Together Through Sport campaign, a collaboration between the North East’s leading sporting foundations, backed by Mayor Kim McGuinness.

From weekly school tournaments to pathway trials, it was an action packed month of girls sport at the Foundation of Light.

Full Get Girls Playing Month Round-up – Click Here

Fixtures Breakfast

Foundation of Light’s annual fixture release day event, Fixtures Breakfast, returned bigger and better for 2026.

As we look forward to another historic Sunderland AFC campaign, Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi joined club legend Kevin Ball and Foundation of Light Chief Operating Officer Jamie Wright for a panel discussion hosted by Jeff Brown.

Full Story – Click Here

25^th Anniversary Shirt

At Fixtures Breakfast, Foundation of Light were excited to introduce their fan-voted commemorative 25^th anniversary shirt.

Designed by Hummel, the limited-edition shirt features a unique anniversary design, making it a special collector’s item for Sunderland supporters and Foundation advocates alike.

The design was chosen by supporters in a public vote earlier this year, recognising a quarter of a century of changing lives through the power of football.

Register your interest in pre-ordering a shirt – Click Here

More information – Click Here

Partners join for Foundation Golf Day

Foundation of Light hosted their annual golf day at Ramside Hall, kindly sponsored by MGH.

The event offered a day of friendly competition and fundraising, all in aid of Sunderland AFC’s official charity and their life-changing work across the region.

Foundation of Light also had a team in action, featuring 1973 FA Cup Winner Richie Pitt and former Black Cats defender Danny Collins.

View the photos - Click Here

Trustee Jill Scott takes on epic challenge

Foundation of Light trustee Jill Scott took on her 359-mile ‘Jill Scott is coming home’ challenge.

The Lionesses legend, who developed in the Foundation’s player pathway, made her way from Wembley to the Stadium of Light by running and cycling.

Current Foundation of Light female pathway players gathered at the Stadium of Light to cheer her across the finish line as the European champion once again proved an inspiration to girls across the region.

Full Story – Click Here

Summer Holiday Courses revealed

With just weeks to go until the summer holidays, Foundation of Light revealed their programme of activity to keep young people active and entertained during the break.

With a mixture of activities to suit every child, from football to baking, every booking supports the Foundation of Light’s life-changing programmes.

Also returning as part of this summer’s activities is the Foundation of Light Family Fun Day. A popular event in the Foundation’s calendar, join us for a day of multi-sports and activities at the Beacon of Light.

Summer Holiday Courses – Click Here

Family Fun Day – Click Here

Foundation receives recognition from Sunderland Law Society

Foundation of Light were proudly selected as Sunderland Law Society’s Charity of the Year.

This will see the Foundation work closely with the Law Society to support more people across the community, with funds raised by the society’s event supporting Sunderland AFC’s official charity.

Full Story – Click Here