Stone Technical Services (STS) has provided another welcome boost for youth football teams in the North East.
The restoration, maintenance and high level repair company has renewed its sponsorship of the Grangefield Academy’s football teams in Stockton, providing a full, new kit for the young footballers.
The year 7 and 9 teams compete in the Stockton Schools Football League against 12 other schools in the area. The year 7s also played in the Northern Education Tournament, held at Hartlepool United’s Victoria Park ground.
The Grangefield Academy’s year 9 team includes Jacob Crowle, Stockton’s top under-13 goal-keeper who also plays for the town’s district team.
Vicky Pinkney, Vice Principal at the Grangefield Academy, said: “We’re really pleased that STS has chosen to renew its sponsorship with us as it provides a real boost for our teams to have new kits. Football is really popular across many year groups and it’s brilliant to see so many students getting active and enjoying a sport.”
In addition, STS has renewed its sponsorship of Tynemouth United’s Under 13s who play in the NEYDL (North East Youth Development League). The team is moving up to 11 a-side games for the coming 2016/17 season and also moving to a bigger pitch with a change in home game location to Norham High School in North Shields, the main base for Tynemouth United.
The team is coached by Darren Blake and Phil Jennings and was formed in 2013 as an under 10s team.
Phil Jennings said: “Team performances last season were excellent with the team playing some exciting football and we have added strength to our existing squad with four new players which will hopefully produce more goals in the coming season. Continued sponsorship from Stone Technical Services allows us to provide new players with strips and replace some of our existing strips which are now too small. It also allows us to cover the increase in pitch fees and without the sponsorship from firms such as STS we would not be able to provide our team with the necessary kit and equipment to enjoy the games.”
STS chose to support the teams as part of the company’s commitment to working across the local community in the North East and provides sponsorship for a number of people and organisations including European swimming champion, Nick Parkes from Stokesley, Tynemouth United and Cash for Kids.
MD of STS, Dave Stone, said: “We try to support a variety of local charitable organisations in our local community and, as big football fans ourselves, it’s great to see the young teams at Grangefield and Tynemouth doing well and training hard. We’re pleased to be able to renew our sponsorship and look forward to watching them play over the coming months.”