Multiple reasons to celebrate at Sporting Loughborough...
SPORTING Loughborough FC is celebrating on five fronts after receiving a new FA accreditation status, successfully raising funds to provide two defibrillators at the club, and launching three new sections to its wide range of teams.
The accreditation awarded is the new coveted FA Accreditation Status.
It supersedes the previous Charter Standard Qualification and is awarded to a maximum of 3 stars. Sporting Loughborough was awarded the two star accreditation based on set up of the club, the teams, facilities and support of individuals throughout the club and is now working towards the maximum 3 star FA Accreditation.
Club chairman Pete Arme said: “The club has worked tirelessly with the FA to achieve this accreditation. We achieved the previous Charter Standard accreditation in record time, and both these were through hard work and dedication from all the current coaching staff at Sporting Loughborough FC and in close working partnership with the Leicestershire FA.
“This is a momentous achievement for myself and my team of volunteers who help make this club so special. We are extremely delighted to have earned this reward from the FA. This achievement marks the continued plan of improvement and expansion of our great venture as a community football club”
The club has also purchased two mobile defibrillators thanks to the success of a GoFundMe page and a charity donation.
Arme added: “As a grassroots club we have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the importance of these defibrillators within grassroots football and the community.
“We decided to start a GoFundMe page and the generosity was overwhelming and allied with a Charity offering to assist in purchasing a defibrillator, we have been very lucky to get two devices. This means both the junior and senior sites are now protected with a defibrillator.”
The club has also become the first club in Loughborough to add an Inclusive section. The Inclusive (formerly called disability) squads plays on Saturday morning at Lodge Farm Playing Fields in Loughborough using colour sensory footballs.
It has created a walking football squad. Aimed at adults over 50 years old, it’s football where players walk instead of run. It’s designed to help people get fit or maintain an active lifestyle no matter what their age or fitness levels. It helps support people in getting back to Football if they have given up due to injury or age.
And it has also created a women’s football section. The club wanted to be able to offer all mums something they could be involved in whist their children were training with Sporting Loughborough F.C. squads. This started as a Fitness and Fun session and has quicky developed into a Ladies Adult Football Squad. You don’t have to be a mum, anyone interested is welcome!
Manager of the ladies squad Samantha King said: “I’m a mum to two children and a step mum to five. I work full time and as I lead such a busy life, it’s easy to forget about ‘ME’ time!! That is why I started the women’s team, I wanted something for me. The team I have is fabulous, the women are amazing, it’s fun and it’s fitness and we love it!”