Programme notes from the Dale Community Trust for the home game against Plymouth Argyle.
Hi everybody for today’s match against Plymouth Argyle-hope you away fans have had a decent trip from the West Country to Rochdale, enjoy our hospitality but leave the Crown Oil Arena empty handed.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY TREAT/MASCOT-LUCA TURNER MITCHELL
Luca, who was seven years old last Wednesday and attends Tonacliffe Primary School, is bringing his mates to the game today for a double whammy.
He is a tough tackling defender who plays for Whitworth Valley Under 7’s and would love to tackle his favourite Dale player, Ian Henderson.
When not watching and playing football, Luca enjoys Lego building and Karate so I think Hendo had better watch out today if he doesn’t play well.
TODAY’S MASCOT-JENSON NELLIST
Jenson will be five years old tomorrow and attends Brimrod Primary School.
He loves playing football, and watching wrestling.
Jenson is a Rochdale season ticket holder, his favourite players being Joe Thompson and Calvin Andrew.
PORTSMOUTH MASCOT-DANIEL JOHN BRADBURY
For the match against Portsmouth, we invited Daniel to perform the duties, sponsored by David Gartside-many thanks David for this fantastic gesture and I’m sure Daniel had a day never to be forgotten.
NCS PROGRAMME/BTEC STUDIES
Shireen Galing-Bispin, BTEC Teacher/Tutor plus Lucy Pilling, Community Sports Trust Apprentice recently took BTEC students plus Rochdale AFC Ladies Under 16’s players to Snowdonia National Park for an NCS Activity Course involving abseiling, rock climbing, gorge walking, hiking and raft building activities.
Part two of their time there included Workshops round, alcohol trust, financial and employment, inclusion and diversity plus self defence.
Once back home, they have spent time at a local care home to gain experience in local community initiatives and today they are being presented with Certificates to recognise their achievements over the past few weeks.
This is a new venture for us but one that is hopefully going to be continued with ELF Trust, who funded the NCS course plus a great way to link in with our BTEC Performance and Excellence Scholarship that has been running for five years now.
Pathways for the BTEC have included University entry, Scholarships in the USA plus Apprentice opportunities at the Community Sports Trust.
Anyone interested in the BTEC Scholarship can speak to me via the contact details below.
ROCHDALE AFC LADIES
Recently, I mentioned exciting news that Jonathan James Lettings have signed up to a fantastic two year sponsorship deal for all our Ladies teams ranging from under 10’s – open age (8 teams) competing in various Leagues in Greater Manchester.
I have to say that the development of the Club has been immense from inauguration four years ago with just one squad of Under 14’s to over one hundred females now turning out for us plus Wild Cats sessions on Wednesday evenings seeing up to twenty Under 9’s taking part in structured training by our FA Qualified Coaches made up of Community Sports Trust staff and volunteers.
This season has been a bit of a struggle, as expected with the extremely quick development of the squads but now we are looking to press on and are looking to expand the operation even further over the next few years.
Last year, our Open Age team finished second in their first ever season in the Second Division now sitting in third position in the First Division, a fabulous achievement in only their second year together.
We expect that some of the younger teams will learn through competing against more experienced opposition through out this transition period and reap the benefits next season onwards.
We are still on the look out for new players-training takes place at The Soccer Factory, Royle Barn Road OL11 3ET from 5-7pm on Wednesdays in our indoor facility.
For more information about any of the activities above please contact me on 07958593121 or email keith.hicks@rochdaleafc.co.uk
Hope everyone has a fabulous Xmas and will see you all again hopefully on Boxing Day when Blackpool visit the Crown Oil Arena
