Boost for Backwell’s fledgling footballers

Severn Valley region has given its backing to a North Somerset’s football club to expand its offering for girls.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley donated £3,500 to Backwell Athletic Junior FC as part of its Community Champions scheme, funding the club’s access to more facilities to accommodate the growing interest in the sport from young women, which now make up six all-girls teams.

The club, which celebrated its 50^th anniversary last year, is staffed by parent-coaches who manage nearly 400 players, aged between five and 18, across around 25 teams, who will be able to bring in professional coaches and buy more equipment to cater to its needs as it grows.

Severn Valley is currently bringing high-quality, new homes to Backwell at its Farleigh Fields development. The show home at the 82-home first phase launched earlier this month, and three and four-bed homes are currently available from £375,000.

Persimmon’s Community Champions programme sees £700,000 donated to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year. Recent local recipients include Ashton & Backwell United FC, Backwell Playhouse, and Nailsea & Backwell RFC.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes Severn Valley Sales Director Carly Spear, said:

“Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme is all about supporting great initiatives in the areas in which they build, not only for the good of existing residents but those who will be living on our developments.

“We have a proud record of backing local sports clubs, especially youth focussed ones, so we felt lending a helping hand to Backwell Juniors was an obvious choice, especially when trying to widen access to sport for young girls, even more so with the Euros driving interest right now.”

Andrew Hall, Chairman of Backwell Athletic Junior FC, added:

“We are really excited that there is so much local interest among girls in Backwell to get involved with football, but expanding the club’s offering does necessitate added costs with equipment and facilities.

“Therefore, the club is delighted to be partnering with Persimmon who, as a local developer, are helping build a sustainable community through helping us fund that expansion of the club.

“This will give girls a chance to play a great sport, develop their skills, and keep fit and healthy at a time at the exact time women’s football is on the international stage, with the Euros inspiring a whole new generation of young women.”