Crowborough kickers awarded new tops for teamwork

A Crowborough youth soccer team is celebrating a sports grant for new team tops.

Crowborough Athletic Football Club under-8s are jumping for joy about the £250 award from UK Power Networks for smart kit to match their nifty footwork.

Parent helper, Ian Coleman, who volunteers at the club where son Archie, seven, is a player, nominated the squad for his employer’s Team Sport Award.

The scheme is run by UK Power Networks to encourage staff to volunteer in the community and is aimed at promoting healthy living, teamwork and developing sports opportunities.

Ian Coleman, a training manager at UK Power Networks, said: “Many teams we play are smartly dressed, whereas we arrive for matches wearing different kit.

“We are smartening up the team to help them look and feel more professional. The kids are really happy and the parents were delighted when they heard the news. The club doesn’t have spare money to spend on new tops, so this was a chance to provide them with an extra boost to help them feel like a team.”

The team train and play matches on Saturdays at Crowborough Wolfe Recreation Ground, competing in the Crowborough and District League.

Adam Saunders, coach of the team, said: “The players are doing really well and we’ve seen a massive improvement this year, they are definitely growing as a team. The new tops will support their progress and we’re grateful to UK Power Networks for their support. It’s rewarding helping the team to grow, learn new skills and make new friendships.”