Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) have given Newton Aycliffe Junior Football Club £372 to assist them in the Safety and Respect of Grassroots Football in Newton Aycliffe.

NAJFC established in 1997 are a voluntary run football club with teams age ranging from Under 7’s to Under 18’s.  We have FA Chartered Standard and have around 150 young people that regularly play football. As a Club we are very inclusive in our approach and encourage membership regardless of sex, ability, race or disability.  We give children the opportunity to take part in sport, encourage healthy lifestyle & social skills.

The club gives children the opportunity to become part of a club, part of a team, play sport, meet new friends, increase social skills & give them the chance to play junior football. Our club gives a social impact by giving young people something to aim for and achieve. With many of its older members now coaching, refeering, the club supports them in every way. We keep children focused, and encourage them throughout the sport to enjoy it. Football gives the children something to look forward to, it can be very challenging, and they are constantly learning new skills not only for the game but also socially.

We want young people to enjoy football, experience the joy of football & further develop their skills, understanding and commitment to play competitive football. We want all our children to train and play in safe environments.

With the above in mind the small grant awarded from GAMP will enable NAJFC to purchase additional Football Foundation Respect barriers.

These barriers have been introduced by the Football Foundation and have been one of the most successful innovations of the Respect programme. The barriers help to convince spectators that they are there to support the teams and dissuade those that believe that they have to patrol the touchline or even enter onto the pitch. With the spectators on one side of the pitch and team officials on the other the coaching environment and the safety of the children is also greatly improved.

The purchase of these barriers will ensure all the children who play for Newton Aycliffe Junior Football Club play all their games in a safe and secure environment and this contributes to the positive and fun experience that we as a club want all our children to have and most of all enjoy this beautiful game.

A big thank you to Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP)