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A girls’ player development centre has secured vital new support as part of an initiative to develop and expand youth football in Guernsey.
The Football for Everyone programme is a result of a partnership between senior representatives of the sport on the island and sponsor Ravenscroft who have a collective ambition to support and develop the youth game by enabling and encouraging participation of both boys and girls of all abilities.
The stockbroking and investment management firm has pledged three years of support for the initiative, which will include support for the girls’ player development centre and the Ravenscroft youth leagues from under-13s through to under-18s. A junior sports leader course in all schools to develop future volunteers and coaches for clubs at ‘minis’ level also forms part of the plans.
Nick Graham, chairman of the Guernsey Football League Management LBG, said the programme could help in the development of youth players of all abilities.
‘Ravenscroft as an organisation is very committed and excited about the initiative in giving generously in their time and financial support. Their sponsorship for junior league football is hugely important and appreciated by players and clubs. Football will benefit from this support and we’ll be working closely together for the benefit of young people in sport in the island,’ said Mr Graham.
The partnership will also help young people develop new coaching and leadership skills and support the further development of the girl’s game on the island, commented Guernsey FA director Phil Sykes.
‘The junior football leaders programme has a focus on respect, promoting and developing the game. It also gives young people important skills that go beyond the sport. The partnership with Ravenscroft will also help us in our ambition to encourage more girls to play football by supporting the girl’s player development centre for five to 11-year-olds,’ he said.
Charlie Roger, CEO Channel Islands at Ravenscroft, said the initiative was all about getting more young people playing football because of the simple joy of getting involved in the game and also to encourage them to lead a healthy active lifestyle, a key driver behind the project’
‘This new initiative offers an exciting opportunity to support and develop youth football on the island and as a passionate local company, Ravenscroft is proud to be sponsoring Football for Everyone. We hope the initiative will bring more local youngsters together to enjoy the sport, strengthen their team working skills and form long-term friendships, whatever their background, gender or ability.
‘Ravenscroft already supports some of Guernsey’s talented young sports stars including aspiring professional footballer Maya Le Tissier, cyclist James McLaughlin and the under 16 island hockey teams but we wanted to support this initiative because it has such broad appeal and encourages everyone to get involved’ he added.
