The award-winning broadcaster joined M&S Food at Farncombe Youth FC to highlight the importance of nutrition for young grassroots footballers.
Award-winning sports broadcaster Laura Woods has swapped the bright lights of European football for the grassroots pitches of Surrey, joining M&S Food at Farncombe Youth FC as part of its Eat Well, Play Well: Grassroots Edition campaign.
The initiative aims to help grassroots football clubs across the UK improve their approach to nutrition, giving young players, coaches and families practical advice on how eating well can support performance, recovery and overall wellbeing.
Woods was joined by M&S Senior Nutritionist Sophia Thistlethwaite during the visit, with the pair heading to the newly opened M&S Foodhall in Godalming before making their way to Farncombe Youth FC to cook for the club’s young players.
From the M&S Foodhall to the Football Pitch
The day began at the new M&S Foodhall in Godalming, which has been described as the biggest M&S Foodhall in the UK.
Woods and Thistlethwaite stocked up on high-protein ingredients before heading to Farncombe Youth FC, where they teamed up with club volunteer Emma Branson to prepare a nutritious chicken and rice one-pot meal.
Designed as a post-training dish, the meal combined carbohydrates, protein and vegetables to help young footballers refuel after a demanding session.
The recipe was inspired by Food Formations, a collaboration between M&S Food and The FA designed to make nutrition advice easier for young players and their families to understand.
One of the formations, ‘2-2-2: Eating for Recovery’, focuses on combining carbohydrates, protein and vegetables following exercise. The approach is designed to replenish energy, support muscle recovery and encourage healthy eating habits.
Laura Woods Champions Grassroots Football
Speaking about the visit, Laura Woods highlighted the crucial role community clubs play in developing the next generation of footballers.
“Whether these players grow up to play in the park with their friends or for their country, community clubs like Farncombe Youth FC are absolutely vital for the UK’s footballing future.”
She also praised the volunteers who keep grassroots clubs running, adding that she was pleased to help Farncombe Youth FC learn more about nutrition through the M&S campaign.
Woods joins fellow Eat Well, Play Well ambassadors Ian Wright, Jill Scott, Peter Crouch and Rob Beckett, who are also supporting the campaign.
Why Nutrition Matters at Grassroots Level
The initiative comes after M&S Food research highlighted a potential gap in nutritional support at grassroots football clubs.
A survey of more than 200 grassroots football coaches found that 31% would welcome training on providing nutritional advice to players, while just 15% said they felt confident advising parents or young players when asked about nutrition.
For clubs that are largely run by volunteers, having straightforward and accessible guidance could make it easier to incorporate healthier meals and snacks into training and matchdays.
According to The FA’s Social Return on Investment Report 2024, grassroots football generates an estimated £15.9 billion in social value every year, including £3.2 billion in healthcare savings.
The report also links participation in football among children with fewer cases of obesity and anxiety and depression, highlighting the wider benefits that grassroots sport can provide beyond the pitch.
Inside Farncombe Youth FC
Founded in 1975, Farncombe Youth FC has grown into a major community football club, supporting more than 670 players across 46 teams.
The club includes nine girls’ teams, with around 150 girls playing regularly, and is run entirely by volunteers.
Co-chair Ed Fenner described the club as a place where volunteering creates a strong sense of community.
“We’re all volunteers and that increases the community feel of the club,” he explained, describing Farncombe Youth FC as “like a wider family.”
Emma Branson, who helps feed players on matchdays, also emphasised the importance of creating a positive environment for young footballers.
“Our coaches work hard to create a nurturing environment,” she said, adding that she hopes seeing healthy choices at the club will encourage players to take those habits home with them.
And it seems the meal itself was a success, with the players giving Woods, Sophia and Emma’s cooking a 10 out of 10.
M&S Food’s Eat Well, Play Well Campaign
The Eat Well, Play Well: Grassroots Edition campaign is set to continue working with grassroots football clubs across the UK in the coming months.
M&S Food is developing practical and affordable recipes that clubs can use on a regular basis, helping coaches and volunteers introduce simple nutritional choices into their weekly routines.
The campaign will also feature a weekly content series highlighting stories from selected grassroots clubs across the country, with episodes appearing across M&S Food’s social media channels.
For more information and to discover the campaign’s nutritional resources, visit the official M&S Food Eat Well, Play Well campaign.
