A girls and ladies football club will be kicking off their football season with a new clubhouse.
Haslingden Girls FC contacted the team at Newground Together to help them set up a new and much-needed space for before and after games.
Haslingden Girls and Ladies FC is the largest girls-only football club in the Rossendale area with more than 200 girls and women from the age of five upwards playing regularly.
At the end of 2022, the team contacted Newground Together who supported them in transforming a shipping container into their own dedicated clubhouse.
They refurbished the container and fitted it out with a seating area, making the space their own. The keen footballers now have a space where players, parents and volunteer coaches can get together at matches and training sessions over a drink or a snack.
The clubhouse also offers shelter from the weather on wet and windy match days and a pleasant outdoor seating area during brighter days.
The club can now continue its work, offering a safe space for young girls and women to play football.
Anne Fuller who volunteers at the club said: “There are few affordable options for young girls to take part in organised physical activity in the East Lancashire area, and there is a particular lack of opportunities for girls to play football, with most of the local provision geared towards boys.
“It’s clear to see the girls get a great deal of enjoyment from playing matches and are therefore more likely to continue to be involved in sport. Newground Together has helped make it possible to give our players a place of their own at the club where not only can they come and play but they can keep forming those friendships with everyone else involved.
“The health benefits of physical activity for children are well documented, however, there are additional benefits to be had from playing as part of a team. It has been shown that team sports can boost self-esteem, teach teamwork and problem-solving skills, lead to enhanced social skills and improve cooperation and interaction with others.
“We’re very grateful for the support they’ve provided us with, it has been a major boost for our team. Our girls are already big fans of the new clubhouse and love nothing more than a post-match discussion over a hot chocolate.”
Belle Paterson, community development officer for Newground Together said “Seeing how much a of a difference the clubhouse has made for the team is wonderful. This is a great example of parent volunteers coming together to do something special for the health and wellbeing of the community.”
Jason Harrison, club coach and Together Housing Group neighbourhood officer said: “Newground Together were more than happy to support the team with creating a safe space where our players can connect with each other better than ever.
“As a football club, it really gives our players and their families a sense of community and belonging. Community support makes a huge difference, and our clubhouse is proof of that.”
Newground Together is the charitable arm of Together Housing Group, and partners with communities to build better futures together.
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