AN UNDER-10 football side has zippy new kit thanks to a £250 grant from utility company UK Power Networks.
Pembury Athletic Football Club under-10s were nominated for the grant by Simon Plant, who works in the groundworks team at UK Power Networks, and coaches the team, where his nine-year-old son Harry plays.
The Team Sport Award is a company grant scheme to encourage staff to volunteer in the community, support grassroots sport, promote healthy living, teamwork and develop sports opportunities.
Mr Plant said: “The funding from UK Power Networks really helps and we appreciate the support. The kids are wearing training shirts we bought with the last award from the company.
“Some of them were outgrowing their kit, so now we can refresh it and they are delighted we can buy smart new training shirts.
“It is so fulfilling seeing the kids grow, gain new skills and make new friends. They are good buddies so it’s great seeing them get together for football,” he explained.
The team plays home matches at Pembury Recreation Ground on Saturdays and training takes place every other Saturday at Mascalls Academy, Paddock Wood.
The club’s head coach Mike Tankard thanked his under-10 coach and the company for the grant, adding: “Without their support, clubs at grassroots level struggle even more in this current climate.
“We can now focus on providing football to the community without having to increase the financial pressure on already stretched parents.”
