Sport award hat-trick helps Woodpeckers’ dreams take flight
Boys at Woodpecker Football Club in Rochester can look forward to new training kit after netting a third Team Sport Award from UK Power Networks
The under-10s side is managed by Matt Hogg, a procurement manager at the electricity firm, who plans to spend the latest £250 grant from his employer on new training equipment and extra team kits for new and growing players.
Matthew, whose son Eddie, nine, plays in the team, said: “We’re delighted to receive a third award which will make a particular difference for our new recruits. Nine players currently arrive in full training kit but the new players we’ve taken on are kitted out differently from everyone else. Wearing matching kit really brings them together as a team, the kids love it and so do the parents.
“Woodpeckers is about supporting boys and girls across the area by giving them a chance to play football in a safe, fun and engaging way. I give my free time for them because it’s brilliant for the kids from a social, psychological and physical perspective plus they’re getting better at football, although I sometimes let that take care of itself!
“Importantly, they are out in the fresh air having fun with their friends, overcoming adversity, learning about resilience, teamwork and sportsmanship. They get so much out of it as well as the football itself.”
The team train on Saturday morning at Temple Mill Primary School in Rochester and home matches are played on Sundays in the North Kent Youth League.
The Team Sport Award scheme is run by UK Power Networks to encourage staff to volunteer in the community and is aimed at promoting healthy living, teamwork and developing sports opportunities. In 2020, more than 60 local sports teams connected to UK Power Networks’ staff benefited from a share in £15,500.
The under-10s side is managed by Matt Hogg, a procurement manager at the electricity firm, who plans to spend the latest £250 grant from his employer on new training equipment and extra team kits for new and growing players.
Matthew, whose son Eddie, nine, plays in the team, said: “We’re delighted to receive a third award which will make a particular difference for our new recruits. Nine players currently arrive in full training kit but the new players we’ve taken on are kitted out differently from everyone else. Wearing matching kit really brings them together as a team, the kids love it and so do the parents.
“Woodpeckers is about supporting boys and girls across the area by giving them a chance to play football in a safe, fun and engaging way. I give my free time for them because it’s brilliant for the kids from a social, psychological and physical perspective plus they’re getting better at football, although I sometimes let that take care of itself!
“Importantly, they are out in the fresh air having fun with their friends, overcoming adversity, learning about resilience, teamwork and sportsmanship. They get so much out of it as well as the football itself.”
The team train on Saturday morning at Temple Mill Primary School in Rochester and home matches are played on Sundays in the North Kent Youth League.
The Team Sport Award scheme is run by UK Power Networks to encourage staff to volunteer in the community and is aimed at promoting healthy living, teamwork and developing sports opportunities. In 2020, more than 60 local sports teams connected to UK Power Networks’ staff benefited from a share in £15,500.