On Saturday 8th June, Bradley Stoke Youth FC continued the success of their Schools’ Football Festival at the Jubilee Centre, which attracted 130 Year 1 children representing 13 different local primary schools. The Festival is the finale of the club’s School Link Program where BSYFC’s FA Qualified coaches go into the 13 schools and provide football coaching to all Year 1 children over a three-week period. The program starts in February and finishes in May ready for the festival in June.

The Football Festival has been running since 2006 and over the years has developed into a major part of the town’s annual Community Festival, with over 1,900 children having now taken part. The School Link Programme started in 2007 and has grown over the years to become a major community activity with over 8,000 children having received football skills coaching in their school.

Each school receives a cup, which can be kept for a year, and is awarded on a points-scoring system based on things such as; attitude and approach of players and teachers, preparation and organisation, adhering to the guidelines and ensuring both boys and girls of all abilities are selected. The whole day is about participation and enjoyment to allow each child the opportunity to play football in a friendly environment.

Every child receives a medal and a gift bag full of football-related essentials like shin pads, football socks, water bottle, baseball cap, activity play pack and sweets. As well as the cup, each school receives a bag of size 3 footballs to continue the football coaching at their school. The winning school also receives a new kit for their team.

The Teacher Awards this year went to Baileys Court and St Peter’s.

More: Festival award winners and team photos »

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September 2018 saw a number of local community groups send in applications to the Aviva Community Fund in the hopes of receiving funding for their projects. After voting was opened to the public in October 2018, the finalists were announced on 27th November. From across the Stokes, there were four finalists: St Michael’s Primary School PTFA, 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts, Wheatfield Primary School and Bradley Stoke Youth FC.

On 24th January 2019, the winners from the ‘environment’ category were announced followed by the ‘health and wellbeing’ category on 31st January and on 7th February it was the final category, ‘skills for life’. Out of these three categories, two of the four finalists from the Stokes were successful and will be receiving the funding that they applied for.

Bradley Stoke Youth Football Club (BSYFC)

BSYFC’s U7 team received funding of £500 to purchase some winter training clothing as well as new training equipment such as mini-hurdles, training ladders and slalom poles to ensure training sessions remain engaging and interactive for the children.

James McTiernan, manager of the U7 team, said:

“We are delighted with the news that the club were able to secure a significant sum of money through the Aviva Community Fund. Coaches and parents worked really hard to ensure that we had enough votes to be considered. The under-7 squad are undergoing and really enjoying their first season in league football this year. The money will go towards kit and equipment, and will go a very long way in helping the children to grow and develop as both footballers and people.”

More: £5,000 for play equipment at St Michael’s School »

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Players and coaches of the U8 ‘Whites’ team at Bradley Stoke Youth FC are striding out in style thanks to sponsorship from ISD Solutions.

The Gloucester-based engineering company has provided the team with a smart new training kit for use during their weekly Thursday evening sessions on the AstroTurf at Bradley Stoke Community School.

This is the second year in which ISD Solutions has supported the team, having sponsored a new heavy-duty gazebo for its tuck shop in the 2017/18 season.

The BSYFC U8 Whites, who play in the Hanham Minor League Under-8 Division, are coached by Nick Mawson, Lee Halmshaw, Clarke Taylor and Huw Davies. The link with ISD Solutions has come about through Nick, who works with Fred Weaver, national sales executive at ISD Solutions.

Nick commented:

‘The BSYFC coaches, parents and players, would like to thank ISD Solutions for their sponsorship and continued support. It’s excellent to see companies such as them supporting the local community. They play a large roll in helping teams such as ourselves get the equipment and clothing we need to move forward.”

Founded in 1946, ISD Solutions have grown to be the UK’s leading contractor in the design, installation and maintenance of composite panel-based structures from cold stores to data centres, and have been specialists in the field for over 60 years.

Photo: Fred Weaver of ISD Solutions (back row, second from right) with the team in their new kit.

This article originally appeared in the December 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on pages 18 & 19). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH (except August), to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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Bradley Stoke Youth FC (BSYFC) has set up a new U9 girls’ team to play in the Bristol Girls’ League this coming season (2018-19) and local car dealership Drive Vauxhall Bristol North has stepped in to provide sponsored match kit for the team.

The U9 girls were presented with their new kit at a photoshoot where they posed alongside a badged-up BSYFC-branded Vauxhall Crossland X which had been brought along by Drive Vauxhall.

Lee Lawson, BSYFC U11 Girls coach, said:

“It’s fantastic to see an increase in the number of girls wanting to play and participate in football. They all look great in their new kit. All the coaches (volunteers) are excited to have been able to create a U9 team and are looking forward to seeing them play competitive football.”

“Drive Vauxhall were contacted to see if they’d like to sponsor the new team and we’re pleased that they jumped at the chance and will now be match day sponsors for the U9, U11 and U13 girls’ teams, showing great commitment to the BSYFC girls.”

“The girls, parents and coaches would like to thank Drive Vauxhall Bristol North for their new and continued sponsorship and support.”

The main coaches for BSYFC Girls U9 – U13 are Level 1 and 2 FA qualified and they also have two female coaches currently completing the Level 1 FA course.

BSYFC was established in 1998. It is an FA Charter Standard Community Club covering all age ranges from Reception age upwards. It also runs football sessions for children with disabilities.

Parents of any children wanting to give club football a try can find further details on the Bradley Stoke Youth FC website www.bsyfc.co.uk

Photo: BSYFC U9 Girls in their sponsored match kit standing next to the BSYFC-branded Crossland X vehicle.

This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on page 9). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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