Harrogate Town to host football development sessions at Rossett Sports Centre

Harrogate Town is set to host player development sessions at Rossett Sports Centre.

The club has announced the centre has become official partner of Town’s player development centre.

It means pupils will have the opportunity to be coached by PDC coaches including first team captain Josh Falkingham, former Bradford City defender and now the club’s professional development phase coach Rory McArdle and academy manager Josh Law.

The player development scheme aims to enhance the talents of young footballers in the local community. 

As part of the partnership, regular football sessions will now be held at the school.

Tim Milburn, Rossett headteacher, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Rossett School to work alongside Harrogate Town, a professional sports team, to develop young players while we also work hard to develop our young people as well within the school. 

“This partnership also gives our children to work with some fantastic role models from the club while our staff also play a key role in the development of the young people who pass through.”

Sarah Barry, Harrogate Town chief executive, said:

“We are really excited to be partnering with Rossett Sports Centre and Rossett School moving forward. As institutions both parties are known for their dedication to educational and sporting excellence as well as their fantastic community engagement.

“This partnership will help us provide a platform for young people to develop their skills, build confidence and enjoy playing football with a team of highly qualified and experienced coaches, including professional athletes.”

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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.

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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

Pitch work begins at Rossett Sports Centre after £10,000 goal reached

Rossett Sports Centre in Harrogate is to begin repairing its 3G artificial football pitch after achieving its £10,000 fundraising target.

The appeal was launched last month after the pandemic affected finances and delayed the repairs.

The pitch is usually open to 1,000 people each week but covid meant this number was massively reduced.

But a successful crowdfunding campaign means work can begin.

In a statement on the fundraising page, the centre manager, Josh Lyon, said the total cost of the repairs is £160,000.

He added the pitch was set to reopen to the public later this month:

“A massive thank you for your support in helping us reach our £10,000 target. This money is going directly towards the 3G pitch replacement project. Works on the new pitch is imminently commencing and the new state of the art facility should be back open to the local community in late June.

“Your support is massively appreciated by Rossett and your local sporting community.”

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The current total is nearing £11,000. Mr Lyon has said any extra funding would go towards new goals.

The sports centre on Pannal Ash Road is run by Rossett School and is open to the public outside of school hours, seven days a week.

Its full-sized 3G pitch provides space for both five-a-side groups and full team matches.

Rossett Sports Centre launches £10,000 artificial pitch appeal

Rossett Sports Centre has launched an urgent appeal to raise the £10,000 needed to resurface its 3G artificial football pitch.

The pitch, which is used by over 1,000 people every week, is over a decade old and was due to be re-laid last year.

However, covid has meant the facilities have been closed for much of the last 12 months, which has resulted in a “substantial” shortfall in income.

Rossett Sports Centre manager Josh Lyon warned if it is not resurfaced soon the pitch will be unplayable by the winter season.

Mr Lyon said:

“We’re now in a pretty desperate position. Our 3G pitch was laid in summer 2010 and has been a huge asset to the community ever since, but it’s coming to the end of its useable life. 

“We’ve done some small pitch repairs over the past few years but it’s now in such poor condition that this is no longer an option. In its current state, the pitch will only last a few more months before we have to take it out of commission.”

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The sports centre on Pannal Ash Road is run by Rossett School and is open to the public outside of school hours, seven days a week. Its full-sized 3G pitch provides space for both five-a-side groups and full team matches. 

Mr Lyon added:

“The 3G pitch is a thriving facility for both our local community and the school. We are therefore reaching out to individuals and businesses to help us plug the gap in our funding and reach our target, and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us so far.”

To donate click or tap here.