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Sunderland Charity and Non League Football Club Join Forces

Submitted by Tim Robinson on Tuesday, 23 May 2006

23 May 2006

Springboard Sunderland Trust and Arngrove Northern League Club, Sunderland RCA FC (Formerly Kennek Ryhope CA), announced today that they are establishing a new close working partnership to promote football in the Sunderland area. Springboard will help Sunderland RCA to develop their ground and facilities at Meadow Park, Ryhope, and Springboard will be actively involved in the management of the club. Colin Wilson, a director of Springboard, takes over as Secretary of Sunderland RCA.

The Sunderland outfit, established in the 1960s as Ryhope CA, joined the Northern league in 1982 and amalgamated with Kennek Roker in 1999, and while recent years have been a struggle, the club has stayed afloat, in contrast to many local and long established clubs, which have hit trouble in recent years. Murton, Eppleton, Shotton, Easington and Peterlee have all lost Northern League status, and some have folded completely.

As well as aiming for success in the Northern League, the world’s second oldest league, the intention over the next few years is for the club to develop teams at all ages and levels of ability, for females as well as males, and to achieve Football Association “Charter Status” recognition as a first class community club. To that end the club are very interested to hear from any local youth, female or children’s football teams or clubs that would like to become part of the Sunderland RCA story from the beginning. Anyone interested can ring Colin Wilson direct on 07802 523533.

Colin has been involved personally in local grassroots football for many years. Owen Haley, previous Secretary of the club, will continue to be involved and lend his experience to give support to the new developments, as will existing committee stalwarts, Chairman Dave Hall, Graham Defty and Les Dodd. Owen, who played in all levels of local football for many years, already works with local schools as an LEA governor and volunteer sports assistant.

Denise Wilson, Chief Executive of Springboard Sunderland, said “We at Springboard have wanted for some time to become more involved in local football, as we believe it provides a great medium to build community spirit, and to get young people involved in healthy pursuits and lifestyles, and therefore matches perfectly with Springboard’s vision and ethos.

“We think we can help Sunderland RCA achieve their goals on the pitch, whilst at the same time building Sunderland RCA into a real community club that the people of Sunderland will be proud of.

“We believe Springboard Sunderland can provide additional strength, security and long term commitment, to build on the excellent work done by the existing voluntary committee of the football club over many years”.

Sunderland RCA are also seeking to involve the wider community in the development of the club, and are talking to a number of local and regional businesses with regard to announcing further partnerships in the near future.

Welcoming the new partnership, Dave Hall, Sunderland RCA Chairman said ” It's great for us to have Springboard and Colin on board. We are really looking forward to making the club bigger and better in the coming years”

Anyone interested in getting involved or hearing more can contact Colin Wilson directly on 07802 523533.

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