Berkhamsted Raiders raise the bar for girls football with Arsenal partnership
- Raiders joins Arsenal Women’s FC as sister club for 2017/18 season
- Raiders funds Arsenal partnership programme for Bridewater School, our home of girls football in Berkhamsted
- Club awarded Football Foundation “Grow the Game” grant to support growth of girls football
Raiders is demonstrating its firm commitment to doubling female participation in football by funding a series of initiatives and partnerships that promote the sport to girls and support the club’s growing girls section. The club become an official Arsenal Womens FC sister club for 2017/18. The partnership with Arsenal WFC gives Raiders a range of playing opportunities for the girls and development opportunities for the coaches, as well as allowing them access to an Arsenal player ambassador, monthly session plans and tickets to Arsenal Women’s games.Raiders has also funded Arsenal Womens FC partnership programme for Bridgewater School, our home of girls football.
Tom Hartley, Arsenal Women’s Development Officer explains: “Being a sister club reflects Berkhamsted Raiders’ passion and commitment to girl’s football. There is an increase in interest and support for girl’s football at the moment, and it is great that we can support Raiders to inspire more girls to fall in love with the game.”
The club has invested £5,000 in a storage shed, permanent goals, Samba goals, nets and associated equipment at Bridgewater and around £2,000 annually to cover grass maintenance and pitch marking. The equipment and facilities will also be available during school hours for school use.
A Football Foundation “Grow The Game” grant of £4,500 spread over three years awarded to Raiders last year will further help to fund the expansion of girls football at the club.