A carer's brainwave has led to three under-11s football teams getting a new kit this season.
Following sponsorship from High Wycombe-based home care provider Walfinch, Downley Dynamos' 47 players will be sporting the home care’s logo on their latest strip thanks to football mum, Sian Dewing.
Sian's son Bobby, 10, plays for the Dynamos, and when Dan Baskerville, Head Coach of this season's under-11 squad, appealed for sponsorship ideas, she introduced him to her boss, Greg Renk, who is the managing director of the Walfinch Mid and South Buckinghamshire.
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Greg said: “I was happy to sponsor them.
“I'm a fan of grassroots football, and I've been a touchline dad myself so I know that it costs a lot of money to cover expenses such as kit, pitch hire and communications.
“We're glad to be able to help fund community activities and the publicity may help attract new clients and people looking for a career in our care team.”
“Sian, the Care and Compliance Supervisor and a senior carer in Greg's care team added: “It struck me that a home care provider would make an unusual and eye-catching sponsor, so now we will see the name Walfinch on the Dynamos' shirts.
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“It means the players have a new kit, and the many mums and dads who go to Dynamos games will know the name of local home care provider Walfinch - useful if they are ever looking for a care service.”
The three under-11 teams play games in separate divisions, so the kit will be seen by parents and relatives of the Dynamos and three opposing teams each week across Buckinghamshire, plus their coaches.
Dan said: “This sponsorship helps ensure that the players can have new shirts so that all three teams look smart. Each player will have their own number on their shirt, which gives them pride in their place as a player and in their team. “We're delighted to have a home care service as a sponsor.
“Usually we are sponsored by local trades companies such as electricians and builders, which is great, but this is a real change, and Walfinch care services will be relevant to many spectators.”
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Walfinch will be the main logo on players' shirts, so it will be seen in local media photos each week, and on the Downley Dynamos website.
The sponsorship is for two years, but kits are sometimes passed down to the next age group coming through, so the Walfinch logo will potentially get exposure for longer than two seasons.
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