SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL: KIRKSTALL CRUSADERS DIAMONDS U12’S GIRLS

EDSB is honoured to have sponsored another Grassroots U12’s girls football team, the Kirkstall Crusaders Diamonds! The group is made up of girls from a wide variety of backgrounds – refugees, children from single parent families and even one young carer!

Their club has long supported boys and mixed teams, but when girls reach the age of 10/11, they often drop out due to the physical differences. To avoid this from happening, they formed the Kirkstall Crusaders Diamonds. As it was their first season to enter a league, the girls and coaches worked really hard to be ready for this challenge.

Team Manager, Gavin Chittick, tells us how important this sponsorship is to the team:
“The girls in the team mostly come from low socio-economic backgrounds and as an inclusive team we do not want anyone to drop out due to lack of money. Therefore, we keep our charges very low to enable everyone to take part. That is why we are so grateful for EDSB’s sponsorship – it has helped to pay for training facilities, purchase equipment and pay for league entry fees and player insurance.”

The team’s achievements were recently celebrated at their Award Presentation Evening, attended by EDSB’s Stores Driver, Nick O’Hagan, who kindly supplied trophies and merchandise for the girls. Thanks to their outstanding success, the club has invited Gavin to take on the U11’s boys team next season, a true testament to the impact of the Kirkstall Crusaders Diamonds.

EDSB is so happy that we could support such a dedicated and inclusive team. Keep up the hard work, we look forward to seeing what the future brings!