A delivery of sports training equipment has helped to kick off the season for six new teams at a Gateshead football club, thanks to Northumbrian Water.
Together with its partners, Esh Stantec, the water company jointly donated over £1,000 to Gateshead Redheugh Football Club to help them purchase 60 new footballs, six mini goals, 80 sports bibs, 300 cones and six first aid kits.
It comes after work was carried out in the area to improve the performance of the sewer network, which involved work on the pitch.
Ian Davison, Project Manager at Northumbrian Water who helped organise the donation, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the football club with the funding for new equipment, which will help them to set up their six new teams.
“We’re really grateful for their patience and understanding while we carried out essential work in their area and this is our way of saying thank you.
“We’re especially proud to be able to help after a particularly exciting time, with the nation celebrating the success of the Lionesses winning the Euros, and we hope the kit brings value to the club as they welcome lots of new, inspired players for this season.”
Northumbrian Water is currently restoring the football pitch to a higher playing standard than the original pitch, including new goal posts, now work is complete.
Native trees and a wildflower meadow have also been planted in the playing fields nearby to help promote biodiversity.
Terry Ritson, Senior Sports Coordinator at Gateshead Redheugh Football Club, said: “Gateshead Redheugh would like to thank everyone involved with the funding supplied by Northumbrian Water and Esh Stantec.
“With this help we have been able to supply six new teams with equipment and now have 38 teams at the club with a membership of 400 children. Our girls section is doing very well and we have been able to increase the number of girls teams this season from two to five teams.”