Football teams join forces to kick on to next level
A‘MEMORANDUM of understanding’ has been signed by Rochdale AFC’S community teams.
Rochdale AFC and Rochdale AFC Community Trust came to the formal agreement with their official community teams to help them prosper.
Rochdale AFC Military Veterans, Rochdale AFC Walking Football, Rochdale AFC Ability Counts and Rochdale AFC Ladies have all put pen to paper on the agreement.
Each team will have its own elected management committee responsible for the day to day operations, including fixtures, subs, sponsors and social events.
However, they will be supported by the Community Trust in all aspects of future development such as facilities, player recruitment, volunteer development and policy as well as wearing official kits and adopting new official logos across all teams.
Ryan Bradley, community director at the club, said the agreement means that the teams are now all singing from the same hymn sheet.
He said: “This formal agreement sets out how the club and Community Trust will support the clubs to grow and perform at the highest possible level.
“All of our teams are on the up but there was a need to take stock and agree some basic principles before we try and kick everything on to the next level.
“We have held hours of discussions with the teams individually and collectively and we are delighted we now have a hymn sheet from which we can all sing.”
Club director Tony Pockney, who works closely with the Community Trust, added: “We have always been proud supporters of our community teams and we look forward to seeing them develop in the future.
“These teams are an important extension of our club and another great example of the role the Community Trust has in the Rochdale area.
“The Community Trust offers excellent support to them day-to-day but we as a club will play our part in ensuring more players and coaches get involved under the Rochdale AFC banner to inspire and improve them.”
Now operating seven teams, Rochdale Walking football will formally become Rochdale AFC Walking Football while Rochdale AFC Military Veterans are now on the verge of entering a formal league with over 30 registered players.
If you want to get involved with any of the teams, as a player, volunteer, coach or sponsor, email community@rochdaleafc.co.uk or visit the website www.rochdaleafccommunity.org and click on the ‘Our Teams’ tab.
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