🏈 Help Us Buy Helmets for New Players

Aim

Our project will make American football more accessible in Oxfordshire by purchasing 15 club-owned helmets that we lend to players.

Who are we?

We are a long-established, volunteer-led American football club based in Oxfordshire, with over 40 years of history in the community. Our club provides a welcoming environment where people of all backgrounds, abilities, and body types can take part in a unique and exciting team sport.

We run weekly coached training sessions, open beginner sessions, and school outreach activities to introduce new players to American football. Our focus is on creating a supportive, inclusive environment where people can get active, build confidence, and become part of a team.

Many of our players join with little or no previous experience of organised sport. Through coaching, teamwork, and encouragement, we help them develop new skills, improve their fitness, and enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity.

Why are we crowdfunding?

American football requires specialist protective equipment, and helmets are essential for safe participation. Unfortunately, the cost of this equipment can be a major barrier for people who want to try the sport.

Our club already runs a helmet loan system so new players can take part without having to buy expensive equipment. Last year alone, 40 players relied on this system to participate. However, demand continues to grow and we simply don’t have enough helmets available to support everyone who wants to play.

We are crowdfunding to purchase 15 additional helmets, which will allow more people—particularly young people and those from lower-income households—to join our weekly sessions safely and Sport England have agreed to pledge £3,500 towards the project if we crowdfund the same.

By removing the financial barrier of equipment costs, we can make American football accessible to more people in our community and help them become more active.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We want to be completely transparent about how the money raised will be used.

Funds raised will go directly towards purchasing and maintaining new helmets that players can borrow for free.

Budget breakdown

• 15 American football helmets: ~£300–£400 each
• Facemasks for helmets: up to £100 each
• Replacement parts and maintenance supplies: £150

These helmets will be owned by the club and loaned to new players who cannot afford to purchase their own equipment.

Each helmet is expected to last 5–7 years, meaning this investment could support 75–105 new players over its lifetime.

Every contribution will directly help more people safely access the sport.

Community impact

Our club provides a valuable opportunity for people in Oxfordshire to get active in a supportive and inclusive environment.

American football is particularly welcoming to people who may feel excluded from other sports. Players of different body types, fitness levels, and backgrounds all have a place on the team. Many of our members joined with little previous sporting experience and have gone on to develop confidence, friendships, and a strong sense of belonging.

We also work with local schools and community groups to introduce young people to the sport and encourage regular physical activity.

By expanding our helmet loan system, we can welcome more participants, reduce financial barriers, and help more people experience the physical, social, and mental benefits of sport.

This project will help create lasting opportunities for people across Oxfordshire to get active and be part of a positive community.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success! And don't forget, every donation will be matched by Sport England!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made