Newhall u7’s Lions in their new Walton Homes kit with Manager Nathan Needham, and Assistant Coach Ben Elm
Staffordshire developer Walton Homes has sponsored a team of budding young footballers as part of its pledge to support the local communities where it builds its houses.
The business has sponsored a host of teams over the past three decades, and for 2023, it has chosen to support the Newhall FC under 7 Lions to mark the club’s 45th anniversary.
The club, which plays five-a-side mini soccer in the Burton Junior Football League, has been given a mid season boost with the business’ sponsorship, which has seen Walton Homes provide striking branded winter jackets to the team for training and match days.
Amy Summerton, Director at Walton Homes, said: “We’re big advocates of supporting local teams and organisations across Staffordshire and Derbyshire in the communities where we site our developments, and we chose to sponsor Newhall FC u7 Lions to mark the club’s big anniversary.
“We particularly liked the club’s ethos, which puts a big emphasis on teaching players from a young age not just how to play great football, but the importance of following the FA’s behavioural code Respect, which teaches the players from a young age to embrace differences, promotes inclusivity and teaches high standards of behaviour both on and off the pitch.
“The club is run by volunteers and is virtually self-sufficient, surviving on sponsorship, player match and training fees, a variety of fundraising efforts and lots of goodwill, and we are delighted to be one of the sponsors helping to support the club. The team is going great guns right now, having won 11 and drawn two of their games to date, and we wish them huge success for the remainder of the season,” she added.
The u7 Lions, who are all aged between six and seven, have been playing football together since the age of four and have formed very close bonds with each other having also attended the club’s Soccer School prior to moving on to the 2022/23 u7 team.
Team chairman Steven Hawtin, who oversees the team alongside coaches Nathan Needham and Ben Elm, said: “We are delighted that Walton Homes has taken an interest in the Lions and sponsored the team’s winter jackets – which they are getting considerable use out of this season! We very much appreciate every bit of support we get from businesses and organisations, and the team are wearing their new branded jackets with pride.
“The current age group supports non-competitive learning surrounding the game, and the season is giving all the players a fabulous opportunity to expand their learning from Soccer School and apply it on the pitch within the game, and the team have put in some fantastic performances so far – long may that continue!” he said.
Newhall FC was founded in 1978, and has a long-standing history of being involved with junior and youth football in the South Derbyshire region. Previously known as Newhall Boys F.C., the name was changed in 2002 in recognition of the many girls becoming playing members at the club.
The club exists to promote football for boys and girls aged 4 – 18, from Soccer School, through to grassroots football for boys and girls under 12 years of age and an extensive programme of youth and girls football aged 13 – 18, all in local leagues.
