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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By Marcus Fisher of BSYFC.

Bradley Stoke Youth FC (BSYFC) was again selected from all the FA Charter Standard Clubs in the UK and Ireland to walk around the Wembley pitch, and perform a Guard of Honour, moments before the kick-of of the Community Shield match between Manchester City and Chelsea. This is the fifth time in five years that BSYFC have been selected and once again we were proud to be only 1 of 8 clubs selected for this great experience. BSYFC was represented by squad players and coaches from the U8 Whites.

It was a long day, but an experience the team will never forget. The day started at 8.15am with the coach leaving Bradley Stoke for arrival at Wembley for 11am. We were greeted and hosted by McDonald’s representatives and were based in the Wembley press room for the majority of the day.

At 12.30pm we had our first walk around the Wembley pitch as we performed the rehearsal for the main event, and had our photo taken by the main photographer on the pitch with our BSYFC placard. En route to the pitch, we were able to see behind the scenes of Wembley Stadium, and were fortunate enough to walk past the HOME and AWAY dressing rooms, and to see the famous tunnel leading onto the pitch.

After the rehearsal, it was back to the press room for lunch and a football quiz. This highlighted just how little the managers Marcus Fisher, Simon Newman and Wayne Jukes know about football (and how much the children did know about football!). Interesting fact: Wembley Stadium has 2,618 toilets, more than any other venue in the world. One of children knew this!

We then had our final briefing and it was time for the real thing. We walked past the changing rooms again and into position at the side of the pitch next to the stars of Chelsea and Manchester City, who were completing their warm up. We then came out to 90,000 supporters applauding as we walked around the pitch and performed the guard of honour, with every child waving their flag and the BSYFC placard on full show; a fantastic effort from the children who represented BSYFC incredibly well.

More: Squad on pitch for total of 30 minutes prior to kick-off »

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