Hi everybody for today’s clash against our rivals from the other side of the M60-hope you Latics fans enjoy our hospitality but leave the Crown Oil Arena empty handed.
TONIGHTS’ MASCOTS
Holly and Poppy Hayden, nieces of our very own Community Sports Trust Assistant Manager, Siobhan McElhinney, both attend Thornham St James Primary School, Royton.
Both are regulars to Rochdale AFC naming Calvin Andrew as their favourite player.
Holly is the captain of our Rochdale AFC Ladies Under 11’s team, who are playing at half time tonight.
Her hobbies are football naturally plus swimming whilst Poppy elected gymnastics and swimming.
I’m sure both girls will enjoy the fantastic hospitality at the Crown Oil Arena tonight.
For the match against Portsmouth we had Dale fans Jacob and Thomas Maher joined by Sam and Lily Davies representing our opponents leading out the teams prior to kick off.
ROCHDALE AFC LADIES UNDER 13’S
Recently our Under 13’s squad became the second team to be crowned Champions in the South Manchester Girls League with a record of seventeen straight wins so far, a fantastic achievement in their first season together and now going for twenty wins from twenty games this season.
Congratulations go to all the players who have turned out over the season including several
Under 12’s who helped out when needed under the manager, Steve Lorimer.
PFA COMMUNITY CHAMPION-CALVIN ANDREW
Calvin received his deserved Award at the match against Portsmouth from David Bottomley, Trust Chairman and Siobhan McElhinney, Trust Assistant Manager prior to kick off.
The Award recognises his contribution to the Community Sports Trust including visits to local Schools plus other events, one being a session conducted at the Soccer Factory recently with our Ladies squads with over 100 players listening to his every word.
After receiving the Award, Calvin spoke about the importance of professional footballers being in touch with the community “It’s a huge honour for me to get such a prestigious Award. I think as footballers we’re a bit naïve to forget that we are a big part of the community at our Clubs and have an obligation to kids and to fans. I think we’ve all been there at one stage and I’ll always remember when Ian Wright (Arsenal, Crystal Palace, England) came one time to my School-it was an amazing feeling and I was in awe of him. I really paid attention to the things he said and carried them with me as I grew up. It’s very important that as role models we do our bit”
BRITISH RED CROSS HATE CRIME AWARENESS & COMMUNITY DAY
Last week the Community Sports Trust Management team turned up at St Chad Parish Church to support British Red Cross speaking to local refugee/asylum seekers plus other community groups promoting our activities especially the Sunday morning football/fitness session at Soccer Factory.
We meet up every Sunday at the Soccer Factory 11.00am – 12.00 for a free session integrated with our Sunday Club.
Anyone is welcome so if you short of something to do this weekend, just pop down to the Soccer Factory, which is to found on Royle Barn Road, Castleton.
EXILES DAY AT THE CROWN OIL ARENA
At the successful Exiles Day for the match against Portsmouth we had a visit to the Community Office prior to the match from the Watts family who had made the long trip up from Norfolk for the match against Portsmouth. It was delightful to meet up again with such a lovely family after we spent time with them previously during the away game at MK Dons earlier in the season.
EASTER HOLIDAY COURSES
The courses at various venues around Rochdale were pleasantly well attended with all children given complimentary tickets for the Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic, Oldham Athletic, Bradford City and Charlton Athletic matches.
We have already arranged the courses over Springbank holidays, week commencing Tuesday 29th May at the following venues:
Soccer Factory – Royle Barn Road, Rochdale
Siddal Moor Sports College – Newhouse Road, Heywood
Wardle Academy – Birch Road, Wardle
Times and prices
Half day: 9.00am – 12.30pm/full day: 9.00am – 4.00pm
2 Day Full Course: £30.00 Half Days: £20.00
3 Day Full Course: £35.00 Half Days: £25.00
4 Day Full Course: £40.00 Half Days: £30.00
(£15.00 per single day)
There is a World Cup theme so if you want to learn how to shoot like Aguero & Kane, defend like Kompany & Pique, dribble like Ronaldo & Messi or pass like De Bruyne come down to one of the venues for a fun filled week.
Attractions are:
Certificate of attendance
Awards for most Improved/star/skills in each age group
Rochdale AFC goodie bag
ALL TALENTED PLAYERS TO BE INVITED TO DALE’S ACADEMY
Contact me on 07958593121 or email keith.hicks@rochdaleafc.co.uk for more details
See you all on Saturday for the clash against Bradford City
Keith Hicks
