The Berg FC Under-11s in their new kit provided with an award from EDF Energy with manager Eamonn Pearson (left) and James Pavey (right)
05 July 2010
Training in the harsh winter months will be a bit more bearable for the boys at a Basingstoke football club, thanks to a £250 grant from EDF Energy Networks.
The money will go towards some rainproof jackets for the Under-11s at Berg FC after coach James Pavey applied for the award from his employers.
James has been involved as a first aider and assistant manager at the club for the last three years. His son Joshua, who started out as a goalie but now plays outfield, is in the Under-11s who have to train outside. The jackets will keep the youngsters a bit warmer and drier on those cold and wet winter evenings.
“Having the right kit is a big part of football for the youngsters,” said James, of Hatch Warren, Basingstoke. “This money will go a long way towards helping them feel a bit more comfortable during training in the winter.”
Berg FC has been thriving in the Basingstoke area for more than 35 years where it is one of the largest boys and girls’ football clubs. It offers almost 300 children from the ages of six to 18 the opportunity to participate in locally-organised football. The six to10 year-olds participate in “small sided” games while the 11 to18 year-olds play 11-a-side.
Eamonn Pearson, manager of Berg FC, said: “We are grateful to EDF Energy for this award. It is being put to great use, by supplying the boys with rain-proof jackets, which can be used for training, as well as during
warm-up, prior to a game.
“It is always reassuring to see a major company being prepared to support grass-roots football. It really can make all the difference to a small club, where funds are always tight.”
James, an engineering audit inspector for EDF Energy Networks in Crawley received the grant through the company’s Team Sports Awards. The awards have helped dozens of community and sports groups benefit from financial assistance. Last year more than £13,000 was donated to sporting groups connected to company’s staff.
As the first sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games EDF Energy will help ensure London 2012 will be a truly sustainable games, uniting people to address climate changes and leaving a lasting legacy, not just in sport, but through environmental benefits.
ENDS
For more information please contact Andrew Drinkwater or Charlotte Mitchell in the EDF Energy press office on 01293 509144
Notes to editors:
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.