Christopher Ward, Charlton Athletic’s Official Time and Sleeve Partner, recently donated pitch hire time at The Valley to support the work of Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT), enabling a range of CACT’s programmes to take place on the pitch in SE7.
The donation provided participants from CACT's programmes with the opportunity to enjoy a memorable experience at The Valley. The day featured the Post-16 Valley Cup tournament, a girls' Post-16 fixture, a Walking Football session and a dedicated CACT staff match.
The Valley Cup saw a number of teams compete for the coveted trophy, including sides from CACT's Post-16 Football and Education Academies based at Sparrows Lane, Cleeve Park School and Folkestone Invicta. Participants from CACT's girls’ Post-16 programme also took to the pitch against a side from Hampshire FA. CACT’s Post-16 programme is aimed at boys and girls aged 16-19 who are interested in combining their studies with the life of a professional footballer.
Meanwhile, participants from CACT’s Walking Football programme also enjoyed a special session at The Valley. The programme, aimed at men aged 50 and over, promotes physical activity, wellbeing and social connection through a non-contact version of the game.
Jason Morgan, CACT CEO, said: “Playing on The Valley pitch is a privilege, and Christopher Ward provided the opportunity to extend this to participants across our Post-16 and Walking football programmes. We have been fortunate over the years to have sessions on the pitch, but to have a full day of pitch hire created added value to programmes we deliver. Thank you to everyone who made this happen.”
Christopher Ward became Charlton Athletic's Official Time and Sleeve Partner in 2025, with both organisations sharing a commitment to supporting the local community. The donation forms part of the brand's ongoing support of the club and further supports CACT's work to create opportunities, improve health and wellbeing, and inspire positive change across south-east London and Kent.
Both Charlton and CACT would like to thank Christopher Ward for their generous support and for helping to create unforgettable experiences for participants across CACT programmes.