Pontefract Collieries FC wins £25K bursary for club renovations and to help local families

Pontefract Collieries Football Club has secured a £25,000 bursary, which will not only enable them to renovate their club, but also help feed local families in need of support.
Tom Wiles, vice chairman and Trevor Waddington, club chairman outside Pontefract Collieries FC.Tom Wiles, vice chairman and Trevor Waddington, club chairman outside Pontefract Collieries FC.
Tom Wiles, vice chairman and Trevor Waddington, club chairman outside Pontefract Collieries FC.

Earlier this year, Pontefract Collieries FC, based on Beechnut Lane, applied for funding to win the opportunity to win up to £50,000 for their community work during the pandemic.

The application, which was held by Birmingham based firm, Buildbase, as part of their Community Club Award, vowed to help supply one deserving football club with any applicable building materials to renovate their base.

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And Pontefract Collieries FC prevailed as one of two non-league clubs to win a 50 per cent share of the available funds, meaning the club will receive a £25,000 product bursary.

Andy Tompkins, Business Change Director of Buildbase said: “Non-league clubs have given incredible support to their communities during the pandemic and this is what the Buildbase Community Club Award is all about.

“Pontefract Collieries FC are a brilliant example of a club who has dedicated time and efforts to support local areas and families.

“All whilst keeping the club going for the return of grassroots football.”

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The bursary will help the winning clubs cover building, electrical and materials hire to renovate facilities.

At Pontefract Collieries FC, a new kitchen will be installed to help local organisation, Pontefract Food Hub, to provide support to local families, including offering free school meals during holidays.

Other renovation plans include improving changing rooms, showers, toilets and the clubhouse bar, as well as making facilities more accessible to the disabled.

Education is a key part of Pontefract’s plans, such as a football scholars programme and nutritional courses, which it wants to make more widely in the community, especially for unemployed people and ex-offenders.

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Trevor Waddington and Tom Wiles, chair and vice chair at the club, said: “We are so grateful to have won the Buildbase bursary and thank everyone from Buildbase and everyone involved in the panel for awarding us.

“Not only will the bursary improve our football club, but it allows us to build on the support we are already giving our community.

“We will continue to support and engage with our local community to ensure that Pontefract and the wider Wakefield district is as strong and vibrant as it can be.

“We are proud to be part of such a fantastic town and we look forward to working with the community in the future to improve the long-term prospects of its people.”

Local Buildbase branches will be supporting the clubs with information, advice and supplying the building products required for their projects.

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