West Ham Foundation at No10 with PM on Kicks 20th | London 2026

Key Points

• West Ham United Foundation staff and participants, including CEO Joseph Lyons, attended a Downing Street reception hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, celebrating 25 years of the Football Foundation.
• The event marked the Football Foundation’s 25th anniversary, the UK’s biggest sports charity funded by the Premier League, The FA, and Government, which has invested over £1.3 billion, delivering over 1,300 new or improved 3G pitches, improving 15,000 grass pitches, and more than 1,700 changing rooms.
• Premier League Kicks programme, launched in 2006 as a collaboration between the Premier League and Metropolitan Police, celebrated its 20th year; it funds 93 clubs across Premier League, English Football League, and National League, providing free weekly football sessions and education workshops supported by 38 local police forces, impacting over 600,000 young people.
• The Prime Minister announced Government plans to work with local areas and the sporting sector to assess community facility needs and direct investments appropriately.
• West Ham’s More Than a Game Community Captain, Tayyab Hayat, attended a Premier League-hosted dinner at the House of Commons, joined by MP for West Ham and Beckton, James Asser; the event featured Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters and a Q&A with Tayyab.
• Tayyab Hayat shared his personal story of transformation through Premier League Kicks, crediting it for steering him away from anti-social behaviour in Newham.
• Joseph Lyons praised the Football Foundation’s impact on West Ham’s facilities like the 3G pitch and community hub at The Foundry.
• James Asser highlighted the repeated positive stories from young people and the importance of grassroots investment in Newham.
• Sir Keir Starmer emphasised the need for facilities to promote activity, noting Government investments in pitches and padel courts.
• Richard Masters underscored Premier League investments via More Than A Game, Football Foundation, and Premier League Stadium Fund, benefiting non-league, women’s game, and 125,000 grassroots teams.

London (East London Times) March 25, 2026 – West Ham United Foundation representatives, including CEO Joseph Lyons, joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at a Downing Street reception celebrating 25 years of the Football Foundation and 20 years of the Premier League Kicks programme. The event highlighted £1.3 billion in investments transforming grassroots sports facilities across the UK, with announcements on future community-focused funding.

What Was Celebrated at the Downing Street Reception?

The reception at No10 Downing Street brought together stakeholders from football’s grassroots ecosystem to mark two major milestones. As detailed in the official West Ham United announcement, the gathering honoured the 25th anniversary of the Football Foundation, established by the Government, The FA, and the Premier League.

This charity, the UK’s largest sports funding body, has channelled more than £1.3 billion into community sports infrastructure. Key achievements include over 1,300 new or improved 3G pitches, enhancements to more than 15,000 grass pitches, and the construction or upgrade of over 1,700 changing rooms. These developments have created vital spaces for communities to play sport and remain active.

West Ham United Foundation staff and participants represented the club, underscoring their role in delivering these benefits locally. CEO Joseph Lyons attended, emphasising the Foundation’s gratitude for the support. The Prime Minister hosted the event, using it to spotlight the programme’s role in promoting physical activity nationwide.

Simultaneously, the evening celebrated 20 years of Premier League Kicks, a flagship community initiative. Launched in 2006 through a partnership between the Premier League and the Metropolitan Police, it has evolved to fund 93 clubs across the Premier League, English Football League, and National League.

These clubs offer free weekly football sessions and education workshops in safe environments, backed by 38 local police forces. The programme targets areas where young people face barriers, providing positive alternatives.

Who from West Ham United Attended the Events?

West Ham United Foundation played a prominent role, with CEO Joseph Lyons leading the delegation at Downing Street. Lyons later reflected on the significance:

“It was a real privilege to be part of the event and to see 25 years of the Football Foundation recognised in that way. Their support has made a huge difference to us as a Foundation – from our 3G pitch to our community hub at The Foundry – and we see first-hand every day the impact that investment has on people across our communities. Having some of our young people from Premier League Kicks there to experience it as well made it even more special. It’s something they’ll carry with them for a long time.”

Later that evening, Tayyab Hayat, West Ham’s More Than a Game Community Captain, attended a separate dinner hosted by the Premier League at the House of Commons.

As noted in the club’s news release, Hayat’s attendance highlighted personal success stories from the Kicks programme. Guests included MP for West Ham and Beckton, James Asser, with Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters welcoming attendees and leading a Q&A session featuring Hayat.

What Is Tayyab Hayat’s Role and Background?

Tayyab Hayat serves as West Ham United’s More Than a Game Community Captain, a position focused on community engagement through football. During the House of Commons dinner, he shared his journey:

“It was an amazing experience to be invited to the House of Commons.

The setting was very intimate, and it was great to be able to personally share my experiences in conversation with MPs, explaining how important it is to have opportunities like I did which can make all the difference. Growing up in Newham was very difficult. I always told myself I wasn’t destined for much and so I just basically copied other boys who were being anti-social. By getting involved with the Foundation and Premier League Kicks I got a choice of two pathways. Where those boys have ended up in prison or not here, I was able to use the support of the Foundation and Premier League Kicks to take more positive pathways and build a future for myself. I’m proud to be able to share my journey to help others now too.”

Hayat’s story exemplifies the programme’s impact, transforming lives in challenging environments like Newham.

What Did the Prime Minister Announce?

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer used the reception to outline future Government commitments. He stated:

“I’ve played football for many years, and I know just how important it is to get out, play sport and stay active. But that’s not possible without investment in great facilities. I’m proud that this government is turning that around. From new football pitches to padel courts, we’re making sure everyone has somewhere to play.”

Starmer announced that the Government will collaborate with local areas and the sporting sector to better understand community facility needs. This initiative aims to ensure investments target the most pressing requirements, building on the Football Foundation’s legacy.

How Has the Football Foundation Impacted Communities?

The Football Foundation’s £1.3 billion investment, with the Government as the largest funder, has delivered tangible infrastructure gains. Over 1,300 3G pitches have been created or upgraded, 15,000 grass pitches improved, and 1,700 changing rooms built or refurbished. These facilities support grassroots sport, enabling participation across all ages and abilities.

In East London, West Ham United Foundation has directly benefited. Joseph Lyons highlighted facilities like their 3G pitch and the community hub at The Foundry, which host daily programmes fostering community health and cohesion.

What Is the Premier League Kicks Programme?

Premier League Kicks, now in its 20th year, provides opportunities for young people in deprived areas. Funded by the Premier League, it partners with 93 clubs and 38 police forces to deliver free football and education sessions. Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive, explained at the House of Commons:

“It is thanks to the incredible football we see week in, week out in the Premier League that we are able to invest so widely in all areas of the game, including grassroots football and communities. As part of our current More Than A Game initiative we are celebrating 20 years of our longest-standing community programme, Premier League Kicks, and the positive impact it has had on over 600,000 young people across England and Wales. We are also proud to have delivered long-term investment into grassroots and non-league football through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund. This has benefited clubs throughout the non-league system and women’s game, as well as more than 125,000 grassroots teams up and down the country.”

The programme’s reach underscores its role in diversionary activities, steering youth towards positive outcomes.

What Did Local MP James Asser Say?

MP for West Ham and Beckton, James Asser, attended the House of Commons dinner and praised the initiatives:

“It was great to attend this event with Premier League Kicks and The West Ham Foundation and to catch up with West Ham’s Community Captain Tayyab Hayat. Tayyab’s story about the positive impact of these initiatives is one that I have heard repeated by young people across our community. Investment in our clubs and facilities provides the environment and opportunity for our young footballers to develop their skills and discover their talents. Grassroots football is big in Newham and it’s important that we support it.”

Asser’s comments reflect strong local support for these programmes in Newham, where football plays a key community role.

Why Do These Milestones Matter for Grassroots Football?

These celebrations coincide with broader Premier League efforts under the More Than A Game banner, marking 20 years of sustained community investment. The Football Foundation and Stadium Fund have supported non-league clubs, the women’s game, and 125,000 grassroots teams. In areas like Newham, such initiatives address social challenges by providing safe spaces and opportunities, as evidenced by Hayat’s testimony and Lyons’ observations.

The events signal continued partnership between Government, leagues, and clubs, promising targeted future funding to meet evolving community needs. With football’s cultural significance in the UK, especially in East London heartlands like West Ham, these milestones reinforce sport’s power to build healthier, more connected societies.