A new football club being launched to encourage teenagers to stay in the sport has received a welcome boost.
Denbighshire Community Chest panel has awarded the maximum grant of £1,500 to Rhyl Town AFC (Action for Charity), which is being set up by a group of long-standing soccer enthusiasts. One of the men behind the club is Tony Hepton, who is well-known in sporting circles in the town, and he has been working with several other experienced officials.
Their concern is that with only the Welsh Premier club and Rhyl Athletic in existence there are few opportunities for youth players aged 18-21, with the result that many leave the sport. Rhyl Town AFC (Action for Charity), which will give teenagers a chance to improve their skills and be coached in a disciplined manner, will have the new Pont y Ddraig as its badge. The Community Chest grant, funded by Sport Wales, will cover the cost of coach education, team kit, equipment and the hire of training facilities.
At its latest meeting the panel awarded grants totalling £11,249, with the table-topping Prestatyn Town Ladies’ Football Club getting over £1,100 for coaching courses, equipment and training sessions. Others to benefit include Corwen and District Angling Club, who hope to recruit more junior members, Denbigh Tennis Club, Dyserth Junior Football Club, Rhyl and District Rounders Association, who hope to register more teams in the League, Rhyl and District Hockey Club, Denbigh Badminton Club, Corwen Cricket Club, and Henllan Football Club, who plan to introduce two new junior teams.
With two more meetings remaining in the current financial year the panel has over £30,000 still available and clubs are encouraged to apply, subject to their meeting the appropriate criteria. For full lists of criteria go to http://denbighshireleisure.co.uk/grants.html#Denbighshire or pick up a leaflet from your local leisure centre. Every club in Denbighshire will be eligible to apply for a community chest grant of up to £1500, every 12 months for separate projects.
