Accrington Stanley Community Trust are delighted to announce that we are going to be working in partnership with Accrington Girls and Ladies Football Club for this season.
The Trust have been delivering an FA backed Female Football Development programme for the past 2 years and see this is an important step in developing our provision. With over 400 girls receiving regular coaching sessions by ourselves each year the Trust can now look at signposting players into teams with the help of Accrington Girls and Ladies FC (AGLFC).
The partnership will involve the Trust promoting AGLFC at over 240 sessions in high schools this year and providing important coverage on our website, newspaper column and match day programmes. Every participant of AGLFC will have the opportunity to watch a number of Accrington Stanley matches free of charge. The Trust will also provide coaching sessions for the teams that AGLFC have as well as setting up a new girls football development centre in Accrington.
Speaking about the link Trust Manager Martin Fearon said ‘‘this is something we have had in the pipeline for a few months now and we are delighted to finally announce the partnership. Girl’s football is growing at a rapid rate and the success of the England Women’s team is helping people take note. The launch of a new girls football development centre will see us provide an opportunity for girls to take part in a regular non-competitive football session’’.
Jo Cooney, Chair of AGLFC added ‘this is a really exciting partnership for both organisations, from a practical angle it will give girls attending the Trust’s sessions a formal exit strategy into a well-established Charter Standard club were fun through football is the main priority. At AGLFC we cater for all ages and abilities from our Acorns Squad from age 6, our 2 Junior Teams at U13’s and U15’s and our 2 Ladies Teams.
The support of the Trust will enhance our community networks particularly in High Schools and with our aim of developing further teams at all ages the partnership with the Trust can only be beneficial. Hopefully girls will see our club as an extension of the fun time they’ve had at the Trust’s sessions. The partnership with the Community Trust will raise the profile of girl’s football in the local community across all ages and abilities.
At AGLFC we like the Community Trust want to play an active part in the local community which is backed up by winning the Lancashire Community Club of the Year in 2012 and for 5 out of the last 7 years Hyndburn Community Club of the Year for 5 out of the past 7 years The Community Trust and AGLFC share many of the values particularly in respect of increasing participation and fun through sport and we hope that the partnership will be the start of a long and positive relationship for the benefit of girls and ladies football in the local community’.
For more information on the Female Football Development programme please contact the Trust on 01254 304071 or visit www.stanleytrust.co.uk
