Building Champions On and Off the Pitch: Panda Sponsors Wexford FC’s Academy and New Community Foundation

Blog
29th Jul 2025

At Panda, we believe communities are built on shared values—sustainability, teamwork, inclusion, and investing in the next generation. That’s why we’re proud to announce our sponsorship of Wexford FC’s Academy, and our support for the launch of the club’s new not-for-profit initiative: the Wexford FC Foundation.

This partnership is rooted in a shared mission to create meaningful impact in local communities through sport, education, and social development. As Ireland’s leading waste management provider, we understand the importance of giving back and supporting initiatives that inspire growth and opportunity, both on and off the pitch.

Supporting Youth Football and Community Engagement in Wexford

The Wexford FC Foundation has been created to expand the club’s community outreach across County Wexford. It will focus on three core pillars:

  • Football in the community
  • Youth and grassroots development
  • Education and personal development through football

As a major sponsor of the Foundation and the Wexford FC Academy, our financial support will provide vital backing to help the club scale its activities and deepen its engagement with people and organisations across the county.

“We’re delighted to partner with Wexford FC in this exciting venture,” said our Residential Director John Brosnan.

“Panda is at the heart of the communities in Wexford and throughout Ireland, serving our customers and working with them to boost recycling and reduce waste. We’re hugely supportive of Wexford FC’s vision and plans to further expand its community activities, and we’re really excited to be working with them

Celebrating the Partnership on the Pitch

To celebrate the beginning of this new chapter, members of our Panda team recently visited Ferrycarrig Park—home of Wexford FC—for a fun and active day with the Academy’s young players. There was a fantastic energy on the pitch, with employees and aspiring footballers coming together to share in the joy of the game. It was a powerful reminder of why supporting youth development and community engagement matters.

From the Pitch to the Community: Football as a Force for Good

The Wexford FC Foundation is built on the belief that football has the power to bring people together, change lives, and support long-term personal growth. Through the Foundation, Wexford FC plans to connect with all 56 junior clubs across the county, as well as local schools and community groups.

“Football has the power to change lives, and our goal is to harness that power to connect communities and to help people discover their full potential,” said Wexford FC Chief Executive Tony Doyle.

“Panda’s financial support for the Foundation is absolutely invaluable, and we are thrilled to have them on board. Moving towards the Foundation model will allow us to do more and to deepen and expand the relationships that we already have in the local community.”

Expanding Inclusive Programmes

We’re especially proud to support the Foundation’s commitment to inclusive football initiatives. Wexford FC has already launched a Powerchair football team and teams for players with Down Syndrome, and plans are in place to further expand these important programmes.

New initiatives include:

  • School-based programmes to bring football into the classroom
  • Seasonal camps during summer and school breaks
  • Coach-the-coach programmes to develop expertise in community clubs

The Foundation also plans to establish an education hub at Ferrycarrig Park. This hub will use football as a tool to teach critical life skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and mentoring—giving young people the tools they need to thrive both on and off the field.

A Club with Strong Roots and Big Ambitions

Originally founded in 2007 as Wexford Youths, and now owned by a supporters’ co-operative, Wexford FC is deeply rooted in its local community. The club’s men’s team currently competes in the League of Ireland First Division, while the women’s team plays in the Women’s Premier Division.

While the club currently plays its home matches at Ferrycarrig Park, there are exciting plans to move to a new 6,000-capacity stadium in Killeens, just outside Wexford Town. This development reflects Wexford FC’s growing ambitions—both as a competitive football club and as a catalyst for community impact.

A Shared Commitment to Community

Our partnership with Wexford FC is more than just a sponsorship. It’s a reflection of our shared values and our belief in using business as a force for good. At Panda, we’re committed to building strong communities—and supporting grassroots sport is a key part of that mission.

We look forward to continuing this journey with Wexford FC and the Wexford FC Foundation, helping to build champions, nurture talent, and create opportunities for the next generation—on and off the pitch.