It all kicked off! Lucozade Sport airs first amateur football game post lockdown to mark the return of team sports

Lucozade Sport, the nation’s favourite sports drink, celebrated the return of amateur team sport last night by live streaming the first grassroots football match since lockdown. Featuring local team Rising Ballers, the game kicked off at 00.01am this morning.

The match, played at Powerleague Newham in east London, was the first amateur sporting fixture since all team sports were suspended on Thursday 5th November 2020. Hosted by Lucozade Sport, the grassroots game marks the beginning of a summer of sport as ballers, players and general sports fans are set to dust off their boots and flock to the nation’s pitches and courts over the coming weeks.

The first match comes as new research from Lucozade Sport reveals that nearly one in four (23 per cent) have missed being part of a team whilst team sport was on hold during Covid-19. One in five (21 per cent) said that they’ve missed the physical contact, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) saying they’ve missed being competitive.

The research also found that 41 per cent of people are planning to take up a new sport once restrictions lift with over a third (34 per cent) saying that they plan to try two or more new sports as they gear up for a blockbuster year of sport with the Euros, AJ vs Fury and more.

Tom Bell, Head of Lucozade Sport, comments: 

“We know the nation has missed team sport as much as we have, so we wanted to celebrate the occasion by hosting one of the first amateur football games back and streaming it live from midnight to allow the rest of the UK to view the action. Football, netball, basketball, tennis and more return from Monday and we couldn’t be more excited. Following a long break, we’re urging people to take it easy – warm up well and stay hydrated!”

Eni Shabani, Founder of Rising Ballers, said: 

“To be involved in the first game back with a brand like Lucozade Sport after months of not being able to play is amazing. We’ve missed team sports and amateur football as much as everyone and we’re desperate to get back on the pitch. We’ve picked up some new skills in our gardens and living rooms and we loved being able to showcase them to everyone watching.”

Lucozade Sport is an isotonic sports drink specifically formulated to provide carbohydrates and electrolytes to enhance hydration and help maintain performance during prolonged periods of exercise.

For more information on Lucozade Sport, visit: www.lucozadesport.com.