Football for women and girls in Staffordshire has scored a new partnership to grow the number of teams and matches and increase skills and confidence for young people.
National business water retailer Water Plus has become the official partner of Staffordshire Girls and Ladies Football League (SGLFL). It follows work this year which saw the Stoke-on-Trent based company deliver water-savings at football grounds and businesses in Staffordshire.
It sees additional referees being trained and more opportunities for young people to play sport in Staffordshire by growing grassroot teams and the number of matches that can be staged. It also sees funding for more coaches too.
It’s part Water Plus’ approach to improving young people’s skills and confidence for the future, as it works to also raise awareness around how small actions can save water and energy.
There are carbon emissions linked to all water used at sports clubs and businesses – so reducing water use can cut these, helping to reduce future climate impacts and progress towards Net Zero.
Joanne Waldron, Co-Chair of Staffordshire Girls and Ladies Football League, and winner of the grassroots football coach of the year in Staffordshire, said: “This is the first big, longer-term partnership for our league – and will really help build on the momentum and growing interest in women’s and girls’ football – it’s a fantastic milestone and it’s great to have a national company support what we do and what we deliver each year.
“In the partnership we’re also working with Water Plus to highlight the small water-saving actions that sports clubs and businesses can take, that can help save water, save energy and drop running costs.”
Jamie Gibson, Managing Director of SME and Small Corporates at business water retailer Water Plus said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Staffordshire Girls and Ladies Football League, making a really positive difference to local communities, helping young people gain skills for the future and highlighting water-saving that can deliver for businesses, sports clubs – and the planet.”
There are more than 260 teams and 80 clubs in the SGLFL, with the league increasing the number of teams in 2024.
Water Plus, which works with organisations including the public sector, providing water retail services including customer service and account management, meter reading, water-saving site audits and additional water tracking technology, is also part of a Careers Hub in Staffordshire and a Careers Enterprise Programme to encourage people into work in the future.
