10 Maidstone Borough Council
Putting football at the heart of the community
Work on Maidstone United’s new ground at James Whatman Way will start this autumn but ahead of the return to the county town in August 2012, the club has been building one of most impressive community set-ups in the country.
Men, women, boys and girls are donning the club’s famous amber and black kit to take part in fun or competitive football.
lot of time and effort in developing football for girls and ladies, and people with a disability.
Maidstone United Ladies play in the South East League and there are teams at under 10 and under 16 level. More girls’ teams will be added in the coming seasons.
It all starts with children aged between four and seven who head up to the Astor Sports Centre at Oakwood Park every Saturday morning for The Pebbles Club.
The club has youth teams starting from under 7s up to under 18s. There are mixed teams in the lower age groups and separate boys and girls teams from the time children reach the age of 10. Teams play in the Kent or Maidstone youth leagues.
At under 18 level, the club competes in the Ryman Youth League, an elite standard of youth football. From there players move into the reserve team, with some making it into the first team.
Club chief executive Bill Williams said: “Maidstone United has a fantastic community section. We are blessed with talented players and devoted volunteer coaching staff. Our aim is to bring locally-based players through from the age of seven and hopefully see the pick of the bunch going on to play in the first team. It’s all about nurturing and supporting young players to enjoy sport and be the best they can be.”
In recent years the club has invested a
The club’s award-winning disability section makes ‘the beautiful game’ accessible to children and adults with physical or learning disabilities. The six disability teams take part in a variety of tournaments throughout the season. There are also two teams for deaf players – one for juniors and another for
adults. Maidstone United is recognised as one of the leading deaf-friendly football clubs in England.
In addition to the many teams, the club provides after-school coaching, a development centre for children in the last year of primary school before they move on to 11-a-side football, and this September the Maidstone United Football Academy opened their doors for the first time. The academy provides an exciting opportunity for footballers to continue in full-time education, after completing their GCSEs, and combine it with the sport they love.
Bill Williams added: “Everyone at the club is looking forward to returning to Maidstone and playing an active role in the local community. The new ground will be used by the club’s Ryman League team, our 30+
community teams, as well as other local clubs, businesses, community groups and schools. It’s a facility we want the whole borough to be part of and proud of.”
For more information about Maidstone United Football Club, log on to
www.maidstoneunited.co.uk
Christmas at the council
Maidstone Borough Council will be open as usual until noon on Friday, December 23. The offices will then be closed for Christmas, opening again at 8.30am on Thursday, December 29. The offices will also be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, January 2.
Council information is available 24/7 365 days a year on our website –
www.maidstone.gov.uk.
A 24-hour payment hotline is available on 01622 602544. For any Maidstone council emergencies over Christmas and the New Year, please telephone 01622 602000.
Collections Please look out for your new recycling calendar, including details of your Christmas refuse and recycling collections, being sent out soon.
Visit
www.maidstone.gov.uk for more information about your refuse, recycling and food waste services
Snow Christmas Waste
As we approach the winter season, there is a risk of snow affecting the waste and recycling services. If we get bad weather, we will try our best to maintain normal services so please leave your bins out and we will empty them as soon as possible. Regular updates will be available online -
www.maidstone.gov.uk @maidstonebc on our twitter site or
www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroug hcouncil.
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www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil
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