Newton Aycliffe Youth F.C. continue to support young boys and girls in Kenya, to play football, which started in November 2021, with a chance meeting with a Kenyan football coach by our secretary, Berni Borsberry.
At that time the coach had around thirty young players and two footballs, most coming from very poor families, but they all loved playing football. As a result of the support from the friends and colleagues of our football club and the people of Aycliffe, lots of equipment, strips and football boots have been funded over the past 21 months, to slowly let some teams compete in friendlies, but the ambition was always to get at least one team to compete in the local Mombasa League.
However, this would need funding for entry fees, referees and travel.
At the recent end of season club presentation, our chairperson, Tracey Hardy, attended every session and sold 10 football cards to our parents to raise funds and the pot was swelled by a large donation from a grandparent who just wanted to help these young children.
So, 21 months after the first chance meeting, two teams entered the Mombasa League as Borstol Newtonians, Under 13 and Under 15 boys, in appreciation of all the help they have had from the people in Newton Aycliffe.
The big launch of the league was on Saturday 12th August and the boys travelled back home to Shanzu with two good results.
Under 13’s 2 v Spark Youth FC 1 and
Under 15’s 1 v Light Star Academy 1.
The coach, Ahmed, never thought he would see the day when teams, that he had coached, would compete in a league. It truly was a dream come true for Ahmed and the boys. If you would like more information or help with a donation, contact newtonaycliffeyfc@gmail.com and we will get back to you.