A budding group of girl footballers, keen to emulate the likes of Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood, has been given a major boost by the recruitment sector.
Allenton United Under-12s has netted more than £6,250 of sponsorship from recruitment advertisement agency Candidate Source, who has been offering training to members of TEAM (the UK’s largest network of independent recruiters) in return for a £30 donation.
37 companies have taken part so far in the courses that are designed to help teach them how to write the best possible job adverts, critically important when you consider the current volatility of the labour market.
The funding has been used to buy 9v9 goals, 20 new footballs, a subs bench, equipment, away strips and clothing for the management team, as the ambitious team look to claim top spot in Division 2 of the Derbyshire Girls and Ladies League.
In order to boost team spirit, the money has also been channelled into fun evenings and days out for the players (bowling, mini golf, laser quest and Oxygen trampoline park), whilst also creating Christmas and Easter ‘goodie bags’.
“This is great way to start the season and has given the team a major boost,” explained Carly Croft, who has been a manager of Allenton United for the last three years.
“The new kits really look the business and, importantly, we also have additional training gear, coats and snoods that will be needed when the usual UK winter kicks in.”
She went on to add: “It’s going to be a big season for us. We’ve been together now for three years, and the girls are ambitious to play at the highest level – after a very promising pre-season we’re setting our sights on promotion to the top division.
“Our players have been inspired by the Lionesses’ outstanding performances at the World Cup and, thanks to Candidate Source and TEAM members, we now have all the equipment we need to help give our players the chance to turn their dreams into a reality.”
Allenton United celebrates its 20th year as a football club in 2023 and has seen interest in the ladies’ game increase massively.
It has gone from having just one female team to boasting multiple sides, including an adult team, four juniors and a ‘Wildcat’ system that gives young girls who have never played the ‘beautiful game’ the opportunity to have fun and learn basic skills.
The Under 12s have had a good start to the season, winning their first two games and scoring ten goals in one of the matches.
Michelle Davies, founder of Coleshill-based Candidate Source, added her support: “The recruitment sector is a competitive market, so it’s great to see companies involved in the industry coming together to support the communities they operate in.
“With the Lionesses capturing national headlines in the World Cup, we thought now would be the perfect time to support the next ‘Lauren Hemp’, ‘Lauren James’ and ‘Alessia Russo’ by helping fund a grassroots football team.”
She went on to add: “Allenton United has a fantastic community spirit and are doing a lot of work on the ground to get girls into football, so we thought they would be the perfect club.”
