KIDOF – Kick Type 2 Diabetes Out Football
The KIDOF (Kick Type 2 Diabetes Out Football) Project is a community-driven health and wellbeing initiative led by Global Diabetes Initiatives (GDI). It uses football as a powerful tool to engage individuals of all ages in preventing, managing, and reversing Type 2 diabetes.
This programme brings communities together through structured football sessions, tournaments, and ongoing support creating a platform for physical activity, education, and long-term lifestyle change.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges, yet it is largely preventable and, in many cases, reversible through lifestyle changes.
The KIDOF project addresses key gaps by:
- Promoting early detection through community screening
- Encouraging regular physical activity
- Providing accessible health education
- Supporting behavioural change and emotional well-being.
Many individuals remain unaware that they are pre-diabetic. KIDOF creates opportunities to identify risks early and take action before complications develop.
Prevention is better than cure, and action starts in the community.
KIDOF is open to:
- Individuals living with Type 2 diabetes
- Those identified as pre-diabetic
- Anyone looking to improve their health and fitness
- Community members, families, and young people
- Local teams, organisations, and volunteers
Join as a Team
- Register your football team to participate in the tournament
- Engage in regular matches and community events
- Promote health and well-being within your network
Join as an Individual
- Sign up to be part of a team
- Participate in weekly sessions and activities
- Access all health checks, education, and support services
Volunteer or Partner
- Support programme delivery
- Collaborate with GDI on community health initiatives
- Contribute to awareness and outreach
Six Months of Transforming Lives Through Football
A Sport England-Funded Community Success Story
For the past six months, Global Diabetes Initiatives (GDI) has proudly delivered the KIDOF – Kick Type 2 Diabetes Out Football Tournament, a pioneering community football programme funded by Sport England. The initiative was developed to tackle health inequalities by using football as a vehicle to improve physical health, mental wellbeing, social inclusion, and community cohesion among people living in some of the most deprived communities across Wolverhampton and the Black Country.
Today, as we prepare for the KIDOF Grand Final, we celebrate not only a football competition but also a programme that has changed lives, strengthened communities, and demonstrated the power of sport to improve health and wellbeing.
The programme brought communities across Wolverhampton and the Black Country together through football, physical activity and health awareness. It provided a safe and welcoming environment where participants could improve their fitness, make new friends and feel more connected to their communities.
Throughout the six-month programme, KIDOF achieved:
10 participating community football teams
More than 180 registered players
Over 700 people engaged, including players, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters
Weekly football matches and community activities
Increased awareness of Type 2 diabetes prevention and healthier lifestyles
KIDOF became much more than a football tournament. For many participants, Saturday football became an important weekly routine that offered physical activity, friendship, teamwork and a renewed sense of purpose.
The programme encouraged participants to become more physically active while learning about Type 2 diabetes prevention and healthy living.
Players experienced improvements in fitness, confidence and overall wellbeing. The programme also helped reduce social isolation by creating new friendships and support networks.
Team leaders developed valuable leadership, communication and organisational skills while becoming positive role models within their communities.
Regular physical activity
Type 2 diabetes prevention
Healthier lifestyle choices
Mental and emotional wellbeing
Community inclusion
Early identification of health risks
At the KIDOF Grand Final, GDI’s clinical team will provide free diabetes, blood-pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) checks, connecting football with health education and early intervention.
Overcoming Challenges Together
Delivering the programme was not without challenges. Securing suitable and accessible football pitches each week was difficult, while venue-hire costs placed pressure on the project budget.
Despite these challenges, our volunteers, referees, team leaders, players, partners and supporters worked tirelessly to keep the programme running successfully.
A Legacy Beyond Football
As KIDOF approaches its Grand Final, we celebrate more than the end of a tournament. We celebrate the friendships, confidence, healthier habits and strong sense of community created during the programme.
KIDOF has demonstrated that football can be a powerful tool for improving health, strengthening communities and creating lasting social change.
Global Diabetes Initiatives is extremely proud of everything achieved through this Sport England-funded programme. We extend our sincere gratitude to Sport England and everyone who contributed to its success.
Together, we have shown that by kicking a football, we can also help kick Type 2 diabetes out of our communities.
What We Provide
Participants in the KIDOF programme benefit from a comprehensive, holistic approach:
Weekly football sessions and tournaments.
Inclusive for all fitness levels.
Encourages consistency and teamwork.
Diabetes awareness sessions.
Lifestyle and behaviour change support.
Practical tools for daily health management.
Community-based screening, including:
Blood glucose (diabetes risk).
Blood pressure.
BMI.
Signposting to appropriate healthcare services.
Guidance on healthy eating habits
Culturally appropriate nutrition advice
Support for sustainable dietary changes
- Peer support and community engagement
- Building confidence and motivation
Structured support for individuals living with Type 2 diabetes
Focus on lifestyle changes that can lead to diabetes remission
Ongoing monitoring and guidance
Why Be Part of KIDOF
- Improve your physical health and fitness
- Gain access to free health checks and expert guidance
- Be part of a supportive and motivated community
- Take proactive steps towards prevention or remission
- Contribute to a movement tackling diabetes at community level
Our Commitment
At GDI, we are committed to delivering sustainable, community-led solutions that:
Reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Support individuals to achieve remission.
Improve overall health and wellbeing.
