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
KIDOF Grand Final: Celebrating Six Months of Health, Football and Community
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes and Supporting Mental Wellbeing Through Football
On Saturday, 18 July 2026, Global Diabetes Initiatives (GDI) hosted the Grand Final of KIDOF Kick Type 2 Diabetes Out Football.
The event celebrated the successful completion of a six-month community programme using football to promote physical activity, support mental wellbeing, reduce health inequalities and strengthen community connections.
Supported by Sport England, KIDOF demonstrated that football can be much more than a game. It can encourage healthier lifestyles, build confidence and create lasting social connections.
Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and support people already living with the condition.
Throughout the six-month programme, participants attended weekly football sessions that encouraged regular exercise, improved fitness and supported healthier lifestyle choices.
Players also received health-promotion messages about:
The importance of regular physical activity
Healthy eating and weight management
Type 2 diabetes prevention
Maintaining healthier habits beyond the programme
KIDOF helped participants understand how enjoyable community activities can support their long-term health.
Mental wellbeing was central to the KIDOF programme.
Participants described the weekly football sessions as a positive outlet that helped them manage stress, improve their mood, build confidence and feel less isolated.
The football pitch became a safe and welcoming environment where friendships were formed, encouragement was shared and people developed a stronger sense of belonging.
For many participants, KIDOF became an important part of their weekly routine, providing structure, motivation and meaningful social connection.
KIDOF brought together 10 community football teams over six months.
The programme welcomed people from different backgrounds and promoted teamwork, inclusion, respect, leadership and community pride.
The Grand Final celebrated the dedication of the players, team leaders, volunteers, referees, supporters and partner organisations who helped make the programme successful.
One message was repeated throughout the day:
“We don’t want KIDOF to end.”
This powerful response demonstrates how important the programme became to participants and their communities.
Through regular participation, players became more physically active, improved their fitness and developed a better understanding of Type 2 diabetes prevention.
Participants also reported:
Improved confidence and motivation
Better mental and emotional wellbeing
New friendships and support networks
Reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation
A stronger sense of community belonging
Greater enthusiasm for healthy and active living
Team leaders played an important role in motivating participants and ensuring that everyone felt welcomed, valued and supported.
Families, friends, volunteers and supporters also became involved, helping the programme create an impact beyond the players themselves.
A Lasting Legacy
The final whistle marked the end of the tournament, but not the end of its impact.
The healthier habits, stronger friendships and increased awareness created through KIDOF will continue to benefit individuals, families and communities.
The programme has shown the value of investing in accessible, community-led activities that engage people who may not ordinarily participate in organised sport or traditional health programmes.
Global Diabetes Initiatives sincerely thanks Sport England for supporting KIDOF and recognising the power of community sport to improve health and transform lives.
We also thank every player, team leader, referee, volunteer, partner organisation and supporter whose dedication made the programme an outstanding success.
KIDOF has demonstrated that football is more than a game—it can be a powerful force for healthier lives, improved wellbeing and stronger, more connected communities.
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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.
