8:00am Tuesday 20th July 2010
TRAINING in the harsh winter months will be a bit more bearable for the boys at a Basingstoke football club, thanks to a £250 grant from EDF Energy Networks.
The money will go towards some rainproof jackets for the Under-11s at Berg FC after coach James Pavey applied for the award from his employers.
Pavey has been involved as a first aider and assistant manager at the club for the last three years.
His son, Joshua, who started out as a goalie now plays outfield for the under-11s who have to train outside.
The jackets will keep the youngsters a bit warmer and drier on those cold and wet winter evenings.
Pavey, from Hatch Warren, said: “Having the right kit is a big part of football for the youngsters. This money will go a long way towards helping them feel a bit more comfortable during training in the winter.”
Berg FC has been thriving for more than 35 years in the Basingstoke area, where it is one of the largest boys and girls’ football clubs.
It offers almost 300 children from the ages of six to 18 the opportunity to participate in locally-organised football.
The six to 10 year-olds participate in small sided games while the 11 to 18 year-olds play 11-a-side.
Eamonn Pearson, manager of Berg FC, said: “We are grateful to EDF Energy for this award. It is being put to great use, by supplying the boys with rain-proof jackets, which can be used for training, as well as during warm-up, prior to a game.
“It is always reassuring to see a major company being prepared to support grass-roots football. It really can make all the difference to a small club, where funds are always tight.”
Pavey, an engineering audit inspector for EDF Energy Networks in Crawley, received the grant through the company’s Team Sports Awards.
The awards have helped dozens of community and sports groups benefit from financial assistance.
Last year more than £13,000 was donated to sporting groups connected to the company’s staff.
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