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Girls Football Participation Rises Thanks To Vattenfall Partnership

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Aberdeen FC Community Trust’s partnership with Swedish energy firm Vattenfall, which commenced in May 2017, has resulted in a significant increase in participation with the number of primary school aged girls playing football on a regular basis up by over 75%. AFCCT and Vattenfall are delighted to announce that this partnership will continue over the 2018/19 season.

Vattenfall are key sponsors of the AFCCT North Region Girls Football League comprising more than 60 teams and around 400 girls at Under 7, 9 & 11 levels, along with 100 coaches and volunteers. AFCCT Community Coach & Education Officer Harley Hamdani recognises the role Vattenfall has played in promoting and developing the sport.

“Through the partnership between Vattenfall and Aberdeen FC Community Trust, and working closely with the Scottish FA, we have been able to support the strong growth of the girls’ game in the North East. Over the past year or so, there has been a great increase in the number of girls playing football on a regular basis, with the highest area of growth being those girls at the youngest age groups, resulting in more sustainable and stronger grassroots clubs.

“Vattenfall’s support has allowed for greater facility access across the age groups, improved support for club coaches and an increase in the number of club hosted festivals throughout the year. With progress being made in growing the game, as well as improving the experience of participants in what is often their first taste of the sport, AFCCT are very excited about the continuation of this partnership going forward.”

In addition to supporting the Girls League, Vattenfall supported last year’s Aberdeen FC Under 17 squad’s participation in the internationally acclaimed Gothia Cup tournament in Gothenburg last year and were recently confirmed as the sponsor of the club’s Pre-Academy which facilitates football for around 40 Under 8 & 9 players at centres located at Buckie, Mintlaw, Inverurie, Angus and Aberdeen City.

Natalie Ghazi, Vattenfall’s local liaison officer, says the company is committed to being an integral part of the north east community. “We a delighted to extend the partnership with AFCCT and continue to be the principal sponsor of the North Region Girls Football League. Being involved from the inception of the league and seeing the growth throughout the year has been rewarding and has integrated Vattenfall in communities across the region.  The project team have experienced first-hand the positive impact our involvement in the league is having on the players, coaches and volunteers throughout the presentation of the Vattenfall Award which takes us to different communities across the North East on a monthly basis. Vattenfall’s ambition is to be fossil fuel free in a generation and we feel the club’s commitment to youth connects with our vision for the future.”

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