Ahead of the fixture with Coventry City, here’s the latest from from the Dale Community Trust.
Welcome everybody for today’s match against Coventry City-hope you away supporters have had a pleasant trip to the Crown Oil Arena from the Midlands.
TODAY’S MASCOT/BIRTHDAY TREAT-REECE MORGAN
It’s a double whammy today for Reece Morgan as he’s bringing his friends to celebrate his 8th birthday at the Crown Oil Arena then leading out both teams prior to kick off
He goes to Bamford Academy where he plays for the Year 3 football team.
His favourite player is Ian Henderson.
Reece hopes to play for Rochdale one day as he is a true Dale boy!
TODAY’S MASCOT-TAYLOR WILLIAMS
Taylor is 7 years old and goes to Norden Community School.
Hobbies are playing football and army games
Taylor comes to home matches with Uncle Josh, where he watches from the Sandy Lane End cheering on the team with favourite players being Joey Thompson and Ian Henderson.
We’re sure that Taylor will have a fantastic day out at the Crown Oil Arena.
SCHOOLS OF THE WEEK
The honour today goes to Broadfield Community School and Shawclough Community School with pupils from both Schools flag bearing as the teams enter the pitch then will play against each other at half time.
For the match against Fleetwood Town, we saw a 1-1 draw between Moorhouse and Parkfield Primary Schools, which according to teachers from both Schools, was a never to be forgotten experience for the children taking part, which is the aim of the initiative.
EFL TRUST KIDS CUP
We recently held our Kids Cup Tournament involving thirty seven teams representing Rochdale Primary Schools at the Soccer Factory over four days with amazing talent and competitive spirit shown through out the week.
The wining team each night returned on Saturday 19th January for finals day which turned out to be compelling with the eventual winners from Heapbridge Primary School overcoming Marland Hill, St Vincents and Caldershaw.
Heapbridge have been invited to today’s match to be presented with their trophy and medals at half time plus now progress to Regional Finals at Doncaster Rovers representing Rochdale AFC, hopefully winning through to the national final held at Wembley before the EFL Division One Final in May
Finals Day Placings:
School P W D L F A Pts
Heapbridge 3 3 0 0 15 2 9
Caldershaw 3 1 1 1 7 7 4
Marland Hill 3 1 0 2 5 12 3
St Vincents 3 0 1 2 5 11 1
FBERUARY HALF TERM HOLIDAY COURSE
The popular week long courses have been arranged starting Monday 18th February at Soccer Factory (Royle Barn Road, Castleton) and Wardle Academy (Birch Road, Wardle) both indoor facilities for interested children looking for something worthwhile to do whilst on holiday.
TIMES & PRICES (HALF DAY: 9.00AM – 12.30PM/FULL DAY 9.00AM – 4.00PM)
5 Day Full Course: £50.00 Half Days: £40.00
4 Day Full Course: £45.00 Half Days: £35.00
3 Day Full Course: £40.00 Half Days: £30.00
2 Day Full Course: £35.00 Half Days: £25.00
(£18.00 per single day)
Anyone can attend, get in touch with me on the contact details below or just turn up on the first day of attendance.
COMMUNITY PLAYER OF THE YEAR-CALVIN ANDREW
Calvin has been invaluable and integral part of the work of the Rochdale AFC Community Sports Trust again last year making a real difference to the community within the Borough of Rochdale.
Not only is Calvin the player liaison between the first team squad and the Trust, but he again has taken on the role of being PFA Player Ambassador for Show Racism The Red Card and also Education.
He has taken a lot of time out to support us, ranging from evening sessions with Rochdale AFC Ladies, through to the Primary Stars programme in partnership with the Premier League.
Quote from Calvin
“I believe it is our obligation as professionals and role models within our country to support the wider community. It is fantastic to see the fans of tomorrow and how much it means to them. I find it extremely rewarding to give time back into the community. I feel supporting the Community Sports Trust here at Rochdale is a part of being a professional player and it allows us to contribute to the growth and support of this community”
Siobhan McElhinney, Rochdale AFC Assistant Community Trust Manager
“Once again it is a pleasure to select Calvin Andrew as Rochdale AFC’s EFL Player in The Community for 2018. Not only is his professionalism recognised on the pitch but his support and professionalism off the pitch for the Community Sports Trust is second to none. This is his third consecutive year he has been nominated for the award, which he thoroughly deserves. He has had a huge presence within the community this year again. He has not only attended our activities but more recently attending a local Care Home to visit a life long Dale fan who is now house bound and struggles with isolation. He is a fantastic role model and a pleasure to work with”
Poppy Anna Hayden (age 7) Rochdale AFC Wild cats participant
“Dear Calvin Andrew, you are my favourite player of all the teams. I hope when I am mascot I walk out with you, you should really be captain you know. I hope you will soon be it. In my opinion you are the best player ever and the best player I have ever seen”
Aidan Gleeson, Teacher at Broadfield Community School
“I was particularly impressed that Calvin Andrew found the time to come and speak to the children. For the children at Broadfield, to have a professional footballer and role model to come and speak to them and have their pictures taken, will be a fond memory that they will cherish.
Thank you for doing an outstanding job and for having such a positive impact within our School during your stay. A special mention also to the coaches who were first class”
For more information about any of the activities above please contact me on 07958593121 or email keith.hicks@rochdaleafc.co.uk
See you all on Tuesday 19th February when Dale play AFC Wimbledon here at the Crown Oil Arena.
Keith Hicks
