Former England footballer Jill Scott has been appointed president of Fields in Trust, a charity dedicated to protecting green spaces for children and sport. The 38-year-old takes over the role from the Prince of Wales, who remains as patron of the organisation.
Fields in Trust was established in 1925 to safeguard parks and playing fields from urban development. William welcomed Scott to her new position during England women's Euro 2025 match against the Netherlands on Wednesday evening.
Royal handover after century of protection
The Prince of Wales had served as president since 2013, taking over from his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh. William assumed the patronage role in 2024 following the death of his grandmother, the late Queen, in 2022.
Scott, who grew up playing football in local parks, emphasised the crucial importance of protecting green spaces for future generations. She stressed that access to these areas should be considered a fundamental right rather than a privilege.
Childhood dreams shaped by green spaces
"I was a young girl with a dream that didn't exist, and I went on to play for England, but without that green space, that would never have happened," Scott said. She urged people to view their local parks not merely as green spaces, but as essential "safe spaces" for communities.
The charity faces significant challenges, with 800 green spaces lost between 2013 and 2023 according to their research. One in three children currently lack access to a playground close to their home.
Million more people target by 2030
Despite these losses, Fields in Trust has achieved remarkable success over the past century. The organisation has provided nine million people with access to green space within a 10-minute walk of their homes.
The charity has protected 4,000 sports pitches, 1,500 playgrounds and 1,200 parks throughout its history. Scott expressed ambitious plans for expansion, saying: "I'm thinking let's double it, let's triple it."
Centenary pledge launches at Barbican
The charity marked its 100th anniversary with celebrations at the Barbican in London, bringing together leading sporting and environmental organisations. The event saw the launch of Fields in Trust's Centenary Pledge, aiming to provide at least one million more people with green space access within a 10-minute walk by 2030.
Tony Juniper, Fields in Trust ambassador, highlighted the broader significance of green spaces beyond recreation. He emphasised their essential role in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and supporting mental and physical health.
"In a world increasingly tied to screens, these spaces help us stay connected to each other and the natural world," Juniper said. He stressed the urgent need to protect these vital community resources for current wellbeing and future generations.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
