Community spirit at Pontefract

Pontefract Collieries have emphasised their importance to the local community during lockdown.

During the last year, they have set up a food hub to provide food and essential hygiene supplies, and don’t turn away anyone who asks for help.

As a result of their community spirit, they have become one of six Northern Premier League clubs to receive funding from the first wave of Trident Community Foundation grants.

Club secretary Tina Goodworth said: “We are a community interest company with a long history of supporting those with additional needs. Everyone from the Chairman to our players and supporters believe that we have a duty to help where we can.

“We hope to integrate our sense of community spirit into this project and give back to our local area.”

Their latest project aims to promote health and social wellbeing in children aged between five and 16 years old with learning disabilities, so that they are not left at a social disadvantage compared to other children.

One set of sessions will target those children with lower-functioning disabilities, and the other will target those with higher-functioning disabilities. There will be fundamental movement activities to get them active - Bonding exercises to help them socialise and make friends.

All of this will use football as the basis on which to engage the participants as many will have had limited access to football (and team sports in general) due to their disabilities. 

The club will also welcome siblings who may not have disabilities as we believe football and other sport is for everyone to enjoy together. 

At the end of the sessions, some children may wish to continue to attend our existing open age disability football team, providing them with continued access to regular physical and social activity. 

Pontefract have recently been forced to deal with travellers gaining access to their land, meaning no start date is available as yet.

Where next?

Pete Band departs Glossop North End Glossop North End have announced that manager Pete Band has left the club.
Callum Ross signs new deal with South Shields South Shields have announced that midifleder Callum Ross has signed a new deal with the club.

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