Douglas Athletic FC’s women’s football team are looking forward to the new season with renewed confidence thanks to continued sponsorship from Old Mutual International. The company – which is one of the biggest employers in the Island’s financial services sector with 500 staff at its headquarters at King Edward Bay House, Onchan – began sponsoring the team in 2015 and has announced that it is continuing its support for the 2017/2018 season.
Craig Purvis, Manager of the women’s team, thanked the company for its support, and commented: “The team began in 2015, so 2017/2018 will be our third season. The squad has grown and improved steadily, and we now have 20 players and compete in the Isle of Man Women’s League, Women’s Winter League, and in cup competitions. Thanks to the continued sponsorship from Old Mutual International, we have been able to commit early to the highest standard of facilities for training which makes it much easier for us to plan ahead for the coming season. Some of the funds will go towards the cost of training kit and equipment, including team wear, and paying for coaches to go on FA training courses which will help the team to develop further.”
One of the club’s members, Sophie McKnight, is currently taking her FA Level 1 coaching course. Sophie recently won the Outstanding Contribution to the Manx Community award, presented by the North American Manx Association in recognition of a range of community and sporting activities she is involved in, including coaching Douglas Athletic Juniors.
The club holds training sessions for women on the outdoor astroturf pitch at Bemahague School on Tuesdays from 6.45pm to 7.45pm, and at Project 21, Greenfield Road, Douglas, on Thursdays from 6pm to 7.30pm. The emphasis is on getting fit and having fun, so the sessions are ideal for all abilities and for anyone interested in taking up football for the first time. Players must be aged 16 or over.
For more information about the team, search Facebook for ‘Douglas Athletic Football Club – Womens’, find them on Twitter (https://twitter.com/dafcwomens) or email douglasathleticwomens@outlook.com.
