Grant boosts Raiders girls

Berkhamsted and Tring Living Magazines Raiders girls montage

Berkhamsted Raiders CFC has won a £4,500 Grow the Game grant from the Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity.

The grant has paved the way for Raiders to field additional girls teams at U8, U9 and U10. The club now has:

  • 150 girls playing in 12 teams
  • A dedicated Head of Girls Coaching
  • Busy and lively Monday night training sessions at BerkoAstro, Ashlyns School.

Hayley McQueen (above), Football Foundation Ambassador and Sky Sports News presenter, said: ‘Very well done to Berkhamsted Raiders for working with the Football Foundation and Herts FA to secure this Grow the Game grant. This investment has created an opportunity for more girls to play football, which will not only keep them fit and healthy but also develop their life-skills.’

Head of the Raiders girls section, Sarah Whale said: ‘Grants like this one make a real difference to grassroots football. They help clubs meet the costs associated with starting a new team – like getting volunteer coaches qualified with FA coaching badges – and so help to drive up participation levels in the sport, especially amongst under-represented groups.’

Under a new agreement with Bridgewater School, Bridgewater will become the home of girls football development at Raiders. Raiders will have exclusive use of the school fields on Saturday mornings for girls football and will establish eight pitches. Raiders is investing in a storage shed, permanent goals, Samba goals, nets and associated equipment and will fully fund the cutting and maintenance of the school playing fields. The equipment and facilities will also be available during school hours for the benefit of the pupils.

Raiders’ website is at www.berkhamstedraiders.co.uk.