A girl’s football team in Halesowen has been handed a major boost in its debut season.

Now in its 41st season, Halas Hawks is regarded as one of the largest youth development clubs in the West Midlands and recently achieved Charter Standard Community Club status, the highest clubmark level awarded by The Football Association.

Nicola Harrison, from the club, said: “To receive this amount of funding is incredible so we’d like to say a massive thank you to Persimmon Homes.

“We run 55 teams in total and we’re absolutely delighted with how Halas Hawks Angels U7s is going so far. However, we still need to raise funds to help us on our journey as we need new clothing and training equipment for our players.

“So far the girls have raised money by getting donations from friends and family having a go on football scratch cards and trying to fill up a smartie tube with coins for helping with jobs around the house.”

David Greengrass, Sales Director Designate for West Midlands, said: “Halas Hawks plays such a key role in the community so it’s great to be involved with them.

“Women’s and girls’ football is growing massively across England so we thought now would be a good time to invest our Community Champions grant in this area.

“As a business we’re always looking for opportunities to support sport organisations because we believe it can play a massive part in keeping people healthy and active.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish Halas Hawks Angels U7s all the very best of luck for the remainder of the season and I’m sure they’ll have a long, successful future.”

For more information or to apply for Community Champions funding visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.