Whiteley Win Winchester & District Sports Club of the Year 2011
10 Dec 2011

Whiteley Wanderers Youth Football Club are delighted to have been awarded CLUB OF THE YEAR in the 4^th Annual Winchester City Council Sports Awards.

After being short listed from an extensive list of worthy nominations from all over the city and out-lying districts the judges awarded the accolade to Whiteley Wanderers Youth Football Club in recognition of the exceptional commitment, significant impact and benefit the local community has gained from the development of the Club including the recent addition of girls football teams and the high regard of Hampshire FA.

Shocked club Chairman Ian Binks, who accepted the award for the club from the Deputy Lord Mayor of Winchester Cllr Frank Pearson, said; “We are absolutely delighted to win this award that follows on from attaining FA Charter Standard Community Award status earlier this year.  As one of only seventeen out of all 326 football clubs in Hampshire to have attained this status this additional award tonight is a real pat on the back for all the effort given by the volunteer coaches, managers and administrative personnel that have been involved with the Club since it’s inception 13 years ago.”

The award ceremony held in Winchester Guildhall was hosted by Sports TV presenter Andy Steggall who, when asking Ian what the ethos and vision of the club was, heard:

“With nearly 300 kids and youths aged from five through to eighteen we really do strive to give local youngsters a quality sports experience.  The emphasis from five to eleven is all about inclusion ensuring everybody gets an opportunity to play sport in a non-competitive environment before moving to competitive fixtures at 11-a-side.  The kids have fantastic support from their coaches who all hold FA Level 1 coaching certificates with many having taken their qualifications further by gaining Level 2 & 3 badges , specific youth award modules and goalkeeping coaching certificates.  We also have some great pitches at Meadowside in Whiteley, and fantastic support from Whiteley Parish Council and our individual team sponsors.”

Ian went on to add, “Our aim though is to have our own floodlit 3G facility and Club House in Whiteley as currently in the dark autumn and winter evenings our teams are having to travel up to 15 miles to find suitable venues to train on which is far from ideal and is very expensive.  We are discussing this with local partners who are fully aware of our passion to make this vision reality and exploring various funding routes.  Who knows, by this time next year it could all be reality!”