Bradford (Park Avenue) were proud to welcome Xavier Wiggins to the Horsfall Community Stadium as part of his ambitious Walk92 challenge — visiting all 92 league grounds in just 92 days.
Xavier was greeted by our Community Director, Mat Everett, and Foundation coach, John Caven, who shared with him the breadth of work being delivered through the Bradford (Park Avenue) Community Sports Foundation.
During the visit, Xavier asked a number of questions about our community programmes and values. John highlighted the appeal of 3v3 football and the use of the AirPitch to engage both female participants and those with disabilities. Mat explained the wide range of projects the Foundation is running, from tackling knife crime and supporting mental health to building resilience, improving literacy, and creating pathways for young people across Bradford. He also shared how the Foundation’s set of values drives everything we do — making a difference and positively changing people’s lives.
Xavier was shown around the stadium, taken into the club shop, and gifted a hat, pin badge, and matchday programme as a memento of his visit. Speaking on camera, he said that as the community arm of the club, Bradford (Park Avenue) are “without a doubt punching above our weight.”
Xavier’s Walk92 challenge is raising funds for important causes, and we are proud that Horsfall was one of his stops. You can support his journey here 👉 https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/walk-for-dlag
To continue supporting the Foundation’s aims of bringing sport, opportunity and community to Bradford donate here 👉 https://localgiving.org/charity/bpasportsfoundation
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC will be welcoming Xavier Wiggins on Saturday 13th September as part of his incredible Walk92 challenge – visiting all 92 league football grounds in just 92 days. Our ground will be his 93rd club, following his visit to Bradford City earlier that day.
From 2nd August to 1st November 2025, Xavier is walking 2,500 miles across the country. But this journey is about much more than football – it’s about harnessing the power of sport to bring people together, tackle poverty, fight homelessness, and create lasting change in communities.
The Walk92 campaign is raising funds for three incredible causes:
Dons Local Action Group (DLAG): Providing food, furniture, digital access, and practical support for those in need.
Street Soccer Foundation (SSF): Using football-led personal development to tackle youth homelessness.
Sport Local Action’s Sports Bank: Removing financial barriers so young people can access and enjoy sport.
Funds raised will directly support these charities, with DLAG receiving at least 50% of donations. The remaining 50% will be split between SSF and the Sports Bank, with all three organisations also reinvesting to help young people and families facing poverty and homelessness.
Xavier’s message is simple: this isn’t just about football – it’s about what football can do.
To support Xavier’s Walk92, donate, or even join part of his route, visit: 👉 https://walk92.org
We’re looking forward to welcoming Xavier and showing him the spirit of the Green Army and the Bradford community.
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, through the BPA Sports Foundation, are delighted to announce an exciting new collaboration with local artist Burley Banksy and Anne Seneviratne, former Ofsted inspector.
The partnership will see the club working alongside both to deliver a series of creative and inspiring projects designed to engage young people across Bradford.
The focus of the collaboration will be to:
Find innovative ways to engage and inspire young people
Use the power of football, art, and education to strengthen community links
Promote the club’s values of belonging, passion, and ambition
By bringing together football, creativity, and education, this partnership will help deliver fresh ideas and new opportunities, strengthening the role of Bradford (Park Avenue) within the local community.
Further updates on this work will be shared in the coming months as the Foundation continues to grow both on and off the pitch.
In addition, the club still has a small number of places available on its Football Education Sport Programmes, based at the Horsfall Community Stadium:
BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Sport
BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Sport
BTEC Level 4 HNC (Higher National Certificate) in Sport
These programmes offer the opportunity to train daily in a professional football environment, study with like-minded people, and access pathways into university, coaching, scholarships, and careers in sport.
The Samba UFSA Allstars girls’ team are celebrating national success after being crowned champions at the prestigious 3v3 National Tournament, held at St. George’s Park on Saturday 30th September.
Their journey began earlier this year at Bradford’s Horsfall Stadium, where the Bradford Park Avenue Community Sports Foundation hosted GWL UNITED’s girls-only 3v3 UK qualifier on Good Friday. From that starting point, the Allstars went on to secure their place at the national finals and set their sights on the ultimate prize.
Easter chocolate might have been a distant memory for last weekend’s finals, but the girls produced a sweet performance against some of the best teams from across the country, ultimately lifting the trophy in style.
John Caven praised the team’s spirit and growth, saying: “The girls have worked incredibly hard all year, and to see them crowned national champions at St. George’s Park is a proud moment for everyone. They’ve shown what can be achieved through dedication and teamwork, and I hope this inspires even more young girls to get involved in football.”
This achievement highlights both the quality of the players and the growing opportunities for girls’ football in and around Yorkshire. With the Bradford Park Avenue Community Sports Foundation providing vital pathways through events at the Horsfall Stadium, more young girls are being given the chance to play, enjoy, and excel in formats like 3v3 football — a dynamic small-sided game designed to maximise skill, creativity, and involvement.
Looking ahead, the Foundation will continue to build on the success of the Samba UFSA Allstars, with more competitive and festival-style 3v3 events planned at Horsfall in the coming weeks and months. These initiatives will provide a welcoming platform for girls of all ages and abilities to experience the game in an exciting, fast-paced format, inspired by the Allstars’ national triumph.
Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Humayun Islam as the Foundation and Club’s new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Consultant.
Humayun brings with him a wealth of experience in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion across sport and community projects. At our recent home match against Ossett United, Humayun was welcomed to Horsfall where he gave a speech in the Hospitality Suite, outlining his vision for supporting the Club and Foundation’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity.
Alongside his new role with Bradford (Park Avenue), Humayun holds several senior positions within sport and community development. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Bradford City FC Community Foundation, is a Non-Executive with West Riding FA, and a Non-Executive Director at Lancashire Cricket Foundation.
His appointment underlines our commitment to embedding ED&I at the heart of everything we do. From our work in the community to the matchday experience at Horsfall Community Stadium, our aim is to ensure that Avenue continues to be a space where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported.
Humayun will work closely with both the Foundation and the Club to build on existing initiatives and develop new opportunities to strengthen inclusivity across all areas of our work. His guidance and expertise will play a vital part in shaping how we grow as a truly community-driven club.
We are excited to welcome Humayun into the Green Army family and look forward to the positive impact he will bring to our ongoing journey.
Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation is proud to announce a new initiative in partnership with Sound of Change and Mark Stevens, launching an inspiring community project titled Play It Forward.
This initiative combines the strengths of sport, music, mentorship and storytelling to support young people across Bradford. By offering creative workshops, football sessions and lived-experience testimonies, Play It Forward is designed to help participants develop resilience, confidence and a stronger sense of belonging.
At its core, the project aims to address some of the biggest challenges facing young people today, including mental health pressures, social isolation and exposure to crime. Through creativity and sport, participants will learn to transform lived experiences into positive outcomes while building the skills to make confident, constructive life choices.
What Play It Forward Involves
Music & Storytelling Workshops – turning personal experiences into songs, poetry and spoken word.
Community Sports & Mentorship – using football and teamwork to encourage growth, leadership and self-belief.
Peer Testimonies – young people and mentors sharing stories of resilience and change.
Media & Content Creation – empowering participants to create and share positive messages through film and digital platforms.
Why It Matters
Play It Forward is more than a single event. It is designed as a catalyst for long-term change, showing young people that their voices matter and their challenges can be overcome. Participants will leave with stronger peer connections, new role models and practical tools to support their mental wellbeing.
Mathew Everett, Community Director, said: “This is an exciting and creative way to support young people in education with the resources and tools they need to improve mental health outcomes. By combining sport, music, and open discussion, we’re giving young people the chance to express themselves, build resilience, and feel a true sense of belonging. We’re delighted to partner with Mark and his team at Sound of Change and look forward to building a strong, long-term partnership.”
To get in touch with our Community Director Mat Everett, contact him on Mathew.Everett@bpafc.com
Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation is committed to combining sport with opportunity and community support — and Play It Forward is a clear example of that mission in action.
On July 1st, 2025, the Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation welcomed seventeen Year 6 pupils from three local primary schools to Horsfall Community Stadium for the first in a series of powerful anti-knife crime intervention events—part of our Breaking Barriers initiative.
Driven by growing concerns around youth violence, gang involvement, and misinformation online, Breaking Barriers is a collaborative response rooted in education, empathy, and prevention. The one-day intervention was designed to reach children before they encounter pressure or exposure to harmful choices, offering them positive alternatives and informed perspectives.
Each pupil received a bespoke invitation styled as a matchday ticket—bringing with it a sense of occasion, pride, and belonging. That simple gesture reflected what this programme is all about: creating safe, inspiring spaces where young people feel seen, valued, and heard.
The event was led by our own Community Director Mat Everett and Education Consultant Anne Seneviratne, with support from West Yorkshire Police, NHS staff, and former gang members who now work to prevent others from making the same mistakes. The immersive experience included:
A simulated crime scene investigation led by West Yorkshire Police, helping pupils understand the real-life consequences of violent crime.
A powerful session with NHS trauma specialists, offering an unfiltered look into the harsh realities of knife-related injuries and emergency care.
A heartfelt testimony from Daryl, a reformed ex-gang member, whose personal story of violence, remorse, and transformation left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.
Inspector Adam Beecroft of Bradford South Police, who was instrumental in securing funding for this initiative, attended and supported the event. His insight and leadership have been key to making this project possible.
The day was rounded off with positive, reflective activities designed to build resilience and connection. Through team sports, structured discussion, and active listening, pupils were given space to process what they had seen and heard in a safe and supportive environment.
This was not about fear—it was about truth, empowerment, and providing young people with the tools to make informed, safer decisions.
As Mat Everett put it:
“We’re not just telling young people what not to do—we’re showing them why, through real stories and real people. This is about equipping them to make positive choices based on understanding and empathy.”
With social media often glamorising knife culture, Breaking Barriers works to rebalance the narrative. Many pupils arrived with misconceptions about violence; they left with clarity, respect for consequences, and a renewed sense of self-worth. As one pupil told us:
“We’ve learnt that carrying knives is bad for the future generation, in public. Even a small cut can do a lot of harm.”
This is just the beginning. Breaking Barriers will continue throughout the year with three further events planned. The Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation is actively seeking new partnerships and funding to ensure we can reach even more young people across our community. We made a short video which is viewable below, talking to some of those involved in the event.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to West Yorkshire Police, the NHS team, Daryl for his courage, and particularly to Inspector Adam Beecroft for his dedication and belief in the project.
Together, we are breaking barriers—one life at a time.
Bradford Park Avenue Sports Foundation, in partnership with ISSE Ltd, is proud to host a special Community Day on Sunday 27th July 2025 at Bradford Park Avenue Stadium. This event celebrates belonging, inclusion, and community unity through sport, with support from SCAR – Sport Campaign Against Racism and Eden Community Association.
The day begins with youth activities for ages 10–12, including fun football games, skill challenges, creative workshops, and team-building — all designed to promote friendship, confidence, and inclusion.
On the pitch, the community will come together for a vibrant series of matches, including:
The ISSE Cup Final
A special Bangladesh vs Pakistan Exhibition Match
A Community Engagement Game featuring local players and guests
The day also features a panel discussion led by Dr Ikram Butt, exploring how sport can combat racism and strengthen community ties. The event concludes with the launch of the Kick Back Project, empowering young people to lead change through sport and storytelling.
This is an invite-only event. To express interest or find out more, please contact: 📧 Mathew.everett@bpafc.com
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, in partnership with the Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation, is delighted to host five weeks of summer sports camps at the Horsfall Community Stadium.
These camps are open to all primary school-aged children and are designed to provide a fun, safe, and inclusive environment where young people can stay active, build confidence, and enjoy a variety of sporting activities.
Camp Details
Location: Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, BD6 2NG
Ages: Primary School Age
Dates:
Week 1: 22 – 24 July
Week 2: 29 – 31 July
Week 3: 5 – 7 August
Week 4: 12 – 14 August
Week 5: 19 – 21 August
Times:
Paid Camp: 9:30am – 3:30pm
HAF (Free School Meals) Camp: 9:30am – 2:00pm
What’s Included
Our Summer Sports Camps offer a combination of football and multi-sports activities, delivered by qualified coaches and experienced staff. The programme is designed to support children of all abilities and includes:
Football and multi-sport sessions
Games, competitions, and challenges
Values-based rewards to encourage teamwork, effort, and respect
End-of-week presentations to celebrate progress and participation
Pricing
£20 per day
£55 per week (3-day block)
Free School Meals – HAF Programme
Thanks to funding through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, fully funded places are available for children who are currently eligible for Free School Meals.
To check eligibility or to secure a free or paid place on the camp, please contact:
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Book early to avoid disappointment and give your child an exciting and active summer with Bradford (Park Avenue).
As we gear up for AveyFest this weekend, please read the following parking guidance to help us keep everything running smoothly:
✅ PARK IN BLUE ZONES ONLY – clearly marked on the map 🚫 NO PARKING in the cemetery, or on Cemetery Road or Park Road 👮 Traffic wardens patrol the area regularly – please park responsibly!
📍 Our main car park is accessible from Cemetery Road only 📍 Additional parking is available at Bulmer and Lumb, accessible via Royds Hall Lane
A huge thank you to Bulmer and Lumb for their generous support! 💚
Let’s make it a fantastic weekend of football – see you there, Green Army! ⚽💪
