Pannal Ash Junior Football Club Archives

‘Overbearing’ 5G tower at Pannal football pitches rejectedEE proposes new 5G tower in HarrogatePannal Ash girls raise almost £15,000 for Barcelona tourLocal girls’ football team struggle to find a female coach

A Harrogate based children’s football club has launched an urgent appeal for a young female coach.

Pannal Ash Panthers under fourteens girls’ football squad has been looking for a suitable candidate for more than 18 months.

The squad members have asked for a female coach closer to their age range, ideally between seventeen and twenty-five years old.

Chris Makin, head coach at Pannal Ash Junior Football Club said:

“We understand the importance of representation and relatability for our young players.

“Unfortunately, despite casting our net far and wide, we have encountered several false starts, leaving us empty-handed.”

The number of girls playing football has seen a huge rise following England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 win.

At Pannal Ash FC, the girl’s section has grown rapidly over the last five years, with around 110 more girls from ages five to eighteen joining.

According to Mr Makin, the Lionesses are icons to the girls playing at Pannal Ash.

He believes a young, sports-minded female coach, like those playing for England’s women’s team, would “inspire and empower” the squad’s players.

The district has spawned its own football superstar, Rachael Daly, who won the 2022-2023 Women’s Super League Golden Boot and recently opened a café in Killinghall named after her.

The club has made many efforts to find a suitable match but have been unsuccessful.

Mr Makin told the Stray Ferret:

“We have left no stone unturned in our search, leveraging extensive social media coverage with captivating video content featuring esteemed members of the England Lionesses squad.

“Additionally, we have even offered funded FA Coaching qualifications to potential candidates. Our aim has been to find a coach who resonates with our girls and meets their specific preferences”

Throughout the search, many potential candidates were contacted. However, the club was met with few responses, as well as several last-minute cancellations and no-shows.

The team will continue to look for a coach who is more representative of its members and hopes to find the right match soon.

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Business Breakfast: Woodland grants for Nidderdale farmers

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Farmers and landowners are being offered free advice and grants to help boost woodland creation in Nidderdale.

A partnership between the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Skell Valley Project Team aims to create new areas of woodland this winter.

Anyone with a small area of land – just over an acre or less – can access grants covering 100% of the planting costs.

Alice Crosby, woodland creation project officer at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“It might be a field corner, a shelterbelt or something bigger, it is more about making trees work for you and your farm.

“Grants can be tailored and could include new fencing, gates, buying and planting trees, tree protection, and money for ten years of maintenance, to ensure that your new woodland gets off to the best start.”

Funds are available to people living in the Skell Valley catchment area for projects this winter. The AONB is also keen to speak to people in other parts of the district who might be interested in planting next winter and beyond.

More than 400 farmers live in Nidderdale AONB, which covers more than half of the Harrogate district.

Currently 8% of the AONB is woodland, including 1,245 hectares of ancient woodland. An area of 1,872 ha is planted conifer woodland, 187 ha is mixed woodland and 2,527 ha is broadleaf.

Ms Crosby said:

“As landowners will know, trees can help improve soil health, boost animal welfare, manage water flow, cut pollution and improve energy efficiency. They are also a lifeline for wildlife.”

She added:

“It’s important to increase the number of trees planted in the AONB, but we want to emphasise quality planting, as 50% of the land in the AONB is not suitable for woodland creation. We can help identify priority areas for future planting sites, as well as help safeguard ancient woodland and other special habitats.

“It’s counter-intuitive but trees can have a negative impact on wildlife if they aren’t planted in the right spot. For some species, like wading birds and adders, woodland can be damaging. So, it is important to get advice.”

To find out more, email nidderdaleAONB@harrogate.gov.uk.

Fencing company in two-year sponsorship deal with football team

A Harrogate fencing company has signed a two-year sponsorship deal with a local junior football club.

Adam Healy at Harrogate Premier Fencing has provided a new team strip and training tops for Pannal Ash Whites Under 12s, who play in the Garforth junior league.

Andy Pears, from the club, said:

“We have 15 boys signed up for this season. We have won all our games, and are unbeaten in the league, currently into round three of the Leeds & District cup – we got to the final last year.

“We are also in the West Riding County Cup and are into the divisional league cup third round. So overall a really successful start to the new season.”

The team is set to move to the new training facilities at St Aidan’s on a Tuesday night after half term. The boys also play on a Sunday morning at the Pannal Ash Juniors club at Almsford Playing Field, next to Oatlands Junior School.

Business Breakfast: Pannal Ash Juniors receive £5,000 boost

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A company has awarded £5,000 towards a Harrogate football club’s ground maintenance work.

The Banks Group, which is an energy and property firm in Durham, has donated the money to Pannal Ash Junior Football Club.

It will help the club buy a new sit-on roller mower to maintain and drain its pitch.

Dr Kathryn Scott, fundraising lead at Pannal Ash Junior Football Club said:

“Keeping our playing surfaces in playable condition has always been a challenge for us as the clay-based soil that we have doesn’t allow water to drain away easily and we’ve regularly lost fixtures during the wetter months due to waterlogging.

“The new machine means that the pitches can easily be cut, rolled, spiked and drained as required and it will allow us to get things done far more quickly than would otherwise be possible.”

Lewis Stokes, senior community relations manager at The Banks Group, added:

“As a developer that is investing in a number of property and renewable energy projects in Yorkshire, we’re actively supporting a wide range of projects in the communities across the county that host our developments through our community fund.

“Pannal Ash Junior Football Club’s impact on local young people goes far beyond the matches they play. It helps them learn the value of teamwork, discipline and physical fitness, and we’re very pleased to be able to help them bring in this much-needed equipment.”

Harrogate offices appoint new facilities assistant

Windsor House in Harrogate has appointed a new facilities assistant.

Claire Lumb (pictured) has been hired to oversee the running and maintenance of the office building on Cornwall Road.

She previously held facilities management and maintenance roles within the defence sector, working for both the RAF and British Army.

Claire said:

“I look forward to using the skills I have learned over the last few years to help our tenants at Windsor House to have an enjoyable working environment.”

Karen Winspear, property manager at Boultbee Brooks, said:

“We are delighted that Claire has accepted a role as part of our team, she has already hit the ground running and we are confident that she will excel in this new position.”

Harrogate petanque player triumphs in national competition

A Harrogate petanque player has won a prestigious national competition as part of a team from Yorkshire.

Charles Stewart was one of three players who travelled to Leicester for the Petanque England National Veterans Triples competition.

Along with Alan Swift from Wetherby and Richard Burrow from Leeds, he took part in the league stages of the contest before going on to the knock-out rounds.

“Our main aim was to qualify for the main knock-out, getting through to the last eight. We achieved that last year but got knocked out in the quarter final.

“This time we went and played the quarter final, then the semi, and got through to the final where we played three ex-international players. I imagine we were probably the solid underdogs on paper, playing the pedigree of the people we were up against!

“It was one of those great occasions where things go your way. We were 11-1 or 12-1 up and said to each other, ‘it’s not over yet’. They had a little flurry of activity but we managed to nip it in the bud and the final score was 13-5.

“It was certainly worth the trip to Leicester!”

The team of three, who play under the name Le Dragon, are now set to represent Yorkshire in Lowestoft at an inter-regional contest in September. Yorkshire has just been promoted back into the first division so the trio know they will face strong competition across the two-day event.

Despite the high level they play at, Mr Stewart said the events retain the friendly, sociable feel of local, informal games, which is one of the attractions for participants.

Mr Stewart, who was a founding member of Harrogate Montpellier Petanque Club and is now president of Yorkshire Petanque, said interest in the sport across the Harrogate district has never been higher.

A new terrain has been built in Darley, while the Harrogate club has created a new headquarters with 10 courts in the grounds of Pannal Ash Junior Football Club next to Oatlands Junior School.

Meanwhile, local club members often travel to play in Ilkley, Wetherby, Horsforth and Leeds.

Mr Stewart said:

“Terrains are popping up everywhere, usually on a smaller scale because it’s often an enthusiastic group of individuals who get the ball rolling.

“In lockdown, when it was permitted to play socially distanced sport outside, it was perfect. Every club I’m aware of grew during the last two years.

“We’re trying our best to motivate and get these small clubs enthused. When you are playing in a highly visible site, like the pierhead in central Harrogate, it attracts people to stop and watch. It goes from six or eight people involved to now around 50 members in Harrogate.

“A lot of clubs suffer from being hidden away behind a hedge or a fence. The more people see it’s a game for all ages and there’s no restriction on who can play, the better.”

Harrogate club chairman Nigel Clay added:

“We are delighted for Charles and his success at becoming a national champion. As the regional chairman, Charles is also working very hard to help develop the sport across Yorkshire, and with increasing interest across the county.”

New women’s beginner football league could be created in the Harrogate district

A women’s beginner football league could be set up in the Harrogate district this season if enough teams are put forward to take part.

The West Riding County Football Association (FA) is looking to create a league based at Rossett Sports Centre, with the aim of six teams participating.

They will be formed from existing grassroots clubs in the area, including Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club.

There is currently only one grassroots women’s team in the district – Darley’s Angels. The team was born out of a group of mums who watched their daughters play and train each week for Scotton Scorchers.

Mike Collier, women and girls football lead at Scotton Scorchers Junior Football Club, said:

“There were a lot of mums on the touchline who said they had never had a chance to play. So we asked them if they would be interested in creating a beginners’ team and we had an amazing response.

“The pitch at Darley had availability, so we started training there and got good numbers.

“The ladies came up with the name and the team was born. It is still linked in with Scotton Scorchers and is part of the community.

“There is always a lot of fun and laughter going on and they have great fun playing.”

Darley’s Angels started playing in March 2021 so have just completed their first season. Earlier this year they won a competition to train with the England Lionesses.

Darley’s Angels trained with the Lionesses.

The West Riding FA currently has a women’s beginner league, which Darley’s Angels is part of, however the clubs are all based in West Yorkshire.

It wants to develop the league by splitting it into two divisions; beginners and developers.

It also wants to create a second beginner’s league in the Harrogate district to provide teams in the area with an opportunity to play regular matches.

Mr Collier, who has been involved with women’s football since 2003, said he hoped the positive experience of the Lionesses Euro 2022 win would inspire more women to get involved.

He said:

“If we can get six teams to come forward we can play every third week.

“We definitely welcome this proposal. So far David Terzza at Killinghall Nomads has said he will put a team forward and Pannal Ash has expressed an interest.

“Hopefully we will get there and it might be that once some come forward, others will follow suite.”

David Terzza, Killinghall Nomads girls’ football manager, who was a coach when Rachel Daly played at the club, said:

“There is very limited grassroots football for women in the district at the moment. Only Darley’s Angels exists currently in Harrogate district. However, I’m creating a Killinghall Nomads ladies team, with me starting as the coach.

“Hopefully other clubs in the district will also respond.”

Any women interested in playing for the new Killinghall Nomads ladies team should contact Mr Terzza on 078082 460221 or email david.terzza@btinternet.com

Petanque players invited to sign up for return of charity tournament in Harrogate

A charity tournament with a friendly feel will return to Harrogate this summer.

The Saint Michael’s Cup sees teams of petanque players – from amateur to more experienced – compete to win the trophy and support the town’s hospice at the same time.

Teams of three can enter for a £20 donation to the hospice and will then be put in a group to play against others. The winner from each group will go into the knock-out rounds.

Although it marks 10 years since the first Saint Michael’s Cup was held in 2012, it has had a two-year gap thanks to covid. Organisers Harrogate Montpellier Petanque Club are hoping there will be renewed enthusiasm for the simple yet competitive game.

Club chairman Nigel Clay said:

“We’re fortunate we still have support from Ellis Bates as our sponsor for the tournament. We’re looking forward to raising money for the hospice again, and hopefully meeting some new teams as well as those who’ve taken part before.”

The tournament will be launched next Sunday and run until September, when the finals will be held.

The new club headquarters in Oatlands

The launch will be part of the official opening of the club’s new base at Pannal Ash Junior Football Club (PAJFC) on the playing field next to Oatlands Junior School, off Hookstone Road. The event runs from 11am to 3pm, with the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Cllr Victoria Oldham, officially opening the new courts and kicking off the charity tournament.

Club members will be playing against a team from Leeds, offering visitors a chance to see how the game works, and there will be time for social play.

While covid may have put a stop to the tournament for two years, the club has seen a rise in membership. As a game which lends itself to social distancing yet is sociable, petanque – also known as boules – was ideal for playing outdoors when covid restrictions allowed.

The launch of the new venue with its 10 courts adds to the existing four at the pierhead bouledrome on top of Montpellier Hill in Harrogate town centre. Club chairman Nigel Clay said:

“The pierhead is ideal for social play and small groups, but lacks facilities. We have been working for some time to find a larger venue to host full club events and competitions.

“Oatlands provides all we need in terms of facilities over the summer, when we will use it, and for PAJFC during the football season.”

For more information about the Saint Michael’s Cup tournament, visit the club website or call Nigel Clay on 07735 388359.

Almsford Community Day to offer fun for the family

Almsford Community Fun Day will take place next month after being cancelled last year due to covid.

The event is open to all on Sunday September 12 at Almsford Playing Fields near Hornbeam Park.

From 1pm until 6pm attendees can enjoy live music, sports events and family entertainment.

Acts in the main marquee include the All Together Now Choir and the Harrogate Band. In the children’s marquee, kids can enjoy magicians and stage shows.

Other family entertainment includes a bouncy castle, assault course and a human football table. Homemade food will be available from a range of local vendors.

The event was organised by local football team Pannal Ash Junior FC. Chairman Chris McVey said;

“We’re so looking forward to celebrate all that’s positive in our community after having to cancel our 2020 event due to the pandemic.”

“The Fun Day is about bringing people of all ages together in a Covid-safe way to enjoy fantastic entertainment after months of being apart.”

Any money raised from the event will go towards maintenance work on the playing field.

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Fencing company in two-year sponsorship deal with football team

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Harrogate offices appoint new facilities assistant

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