What Is Happening
Shay Stadium Community Football started in June 2007 after previously being Community Football Initiative. Lee Ashforth was the main operator and after the end of Shay Stadium Trust, the directors, Geoff Butler, Roger Simpson and Simon Hartley, who all served in a voluntary capacity, were approached and asked to overlook the new company.
Nick Walker was employed as Football Development Officer for 5 years before Jamie Sykes took the role after Nick left for New Zealand. Damian Hopkins was also employed for two years as the company increased workload.
The main income was to come from Holiday Clubs and Schools and throughout the 13 years of operation these were the core programs of the not for profit organisation. Over the 13 years approximately 27,000 children will have attended the Holiday Clubs, and approximately 260,000 children will have been coached within schools.
In addition, Saturday Morning Clubs, Birthday Parties were also regular features of the programme.
An innovation was the Junior World Cup, which proved to be incredibly popular and latterly had to be run over three days because of the number of junior teams that wanted to compete. Over the eight years it was held over 12,000 children took part and had the opportunity to play on the Shay Stadium pitch. This years Junior World Cup will still go ahead and contact Lee Ashforth 07834421064 for details.
Closely working with Calderdale Council the program has been sustainable and with no income support other than what was charged, the company strived hard to ensure that opportunities for all was on offer across the borough.
Working in Parks (12-16 year olds), Midnight League (11-18), Shaype Up (overweight men), Mental Health program, Just Play Centres (16+) and Walking football (50+) were just some of the schemes offered.
Apprenticeship schemes followed by BTEC schemes were introduced and for 4 years 16-18 year olds were offered courses to develop into future careers.
All involved with the company regret that the company has had to cease operating, due to Lee Ashforth taking a role with the Football Association and not having the time to continue to drive the company forward, and Jamie Sykes also taking a role at Yorkshire cricket, but feel some satisfaction that over the thirteen years of our existence we have made a significant contribution to the local community, particularly to the youngsters in the area