THE SADDLERS' youth team had their annual photocall earlier today where Walsall Housing Group announced that their youth team and Centre of Excellence sponsorship would continue for the season ahead having gone from strength-to-strength over the past 12 months.
"We are delighted that Walsall Housing Group will be entering their second season of sponsorship of the Walsall FC youth team and Centre of Excellence," said Commercial Director, Roy Whalley. "We have built up a strong, mutually beneficial, relationship with WHG over the past 12 months.
"This is such a crucial sponsorship for the club as we look to develop The Saddlers' stars of tomorrow, whilst at the same time, WHG have benefitted from their association with us.
"The WHG logo will once again be resplendent on the shirts of our youth team, who will compete in The Football League Youth Alliance, the FA Youth Cup and Midland Youth Cup, and all teams within the Centre of Excellence, which features over 120 youngsters.
"WHG's sponsorship also includes the provision of fsoccer schools during school holidays, delivered by the Walsall FC Community Programme, as well as other important work within the local community.
"This sponsorship deal helps us to maximise the footballing potential of talented local youngsters, opening the door to a career in professional football. I know that WHG is passionate about working with young people across Walsall and is committed to promoting healthy living throughout the borough through their NOW (New Opportunities Walsall) project.
"We thank them most sincerely for their backing and express the hope that the 2010/11 season will be a successful one for all concerned."
Carole Wildman, Director of Regeneration and Development at Walsall Housing Group, added: "This is a living, working sponsorship that has developed extremely well for us. We are delighted to be involved with the club and we are keen to build upon the partnership to promote sport and healthy living to local people as well as raising the aspirations of young people within the town.
"We have already carried out 15 soccer schools locally in association with the Walsall FC Community Programme. In addition we now operate Saturday Soccer Schools here at Banks's Stadium which include two hours of football coaching, interactive sessions within the Walsall FC IT suite and then watching the match during the afternoon.
"Over 200 young people, from our most deprived communities, have attended these sessions, and now their parents are also able to attend to see their progress.
"It's a mutual partnership as hopefully these youngsters will go on to become lifelong supporters of the club.
"Over the past 12 months we have also held a football tournament at the stadium as part of National Men's Health Week.
"We really want this to become a long relationship with Walsall FC as we look to raise the profile of the town."
PHOTOS: David Linney Photography
