M&S Food has partnered with award-winning sports broadcaster Laura Woods as part of its Eat Well, Play Well: Grassroots campaign. The campaign helps grassroots clubs in the UK improve their nutrition offering.

Woods and M&S senior nutritionist Sophia Thistlethwaite visited Farncombe Youth FC to cook the players a chicken and rice one pot recipe. Once there they teamed up with the clubs referee Emma Branson to cook the meal.

But before visiting the club, the pair went shopping for “high-protein” ingredients at M&S’s new store in Godalming.

According to M&S, the recipe was inspired by ‘The Food Formation’, which was developed by FA nutritionists to help young players develop balanced meals for training and matchdays.

This comes as research from the retailer shows their is a gap in nutrition support at grassroots level. A survey of over 200 grassroot football coaches showed 31 per cent of respondents wanted training to offer advice on nutrition to their players.

It also highlighted 15 per cent felt confident in guiding parents or players in this matter when asked.

Woods said: “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 and run entirely by volunteers, so I’m so pleased to help them learn more about their nutrition with M&S Eat Well, Play Well.”

M&S Senior Nutritionist Sophia Thistlethwaite added: “Nutrition plays such an important role in helping young players feel their best, both on and off the pitch.

“We’re delighted to bring the Eat Well, Play Well Grassroots Edition to Farncombe Youth FC, and show that eating well can be simple, enjoyable and accessible for everyone, while helping young players build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”

Other ambassadors for the campaign include Ian Wright, Peter Crouch, Jill Scott and Rob Beckett.

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