Athena Care Homes has extended its sponsorship of a newly-established girls’ football league for a second season.

The care home operator, with homes including Amberley Hall and Goodwins Hall in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, has partnered with Alive King’s Lynn Community Football (KLCF) in a bid to encourage more girls to play the sport.

This season, up to eight local schools will be invited to join the seven-aside league with fixtures taking place at Lynnsport’s 3G pitches to allow year-round play.
 
Schools will have the opportunity to bring squads of up to 10 girls from Years 5 and 6 to compete in monthly fixtures, as well as the new Athena Care Homes Community Cup event at the end of the season. The sponsorship means that the league is free to enter.

James Eley, marketing manager at Athena Care Homes, said: “Football and inclusivity are both important to our residents. When we had the opportunity to renew our support for the girls’ league for a second season, we jumped at the chance. We want our homes to be a central part of the community and leave a lasting impact, and this is just one of the ways which we’re achieving that. We know many of the residents at Amberley Hall and Goodwins Hall are huge football fans and enjoyed welcoming the girls to our homes and seeing the league grow and progress.”

Tommy Goode, head of performance and development at Alive West Norfolk, said: “Athena’s support will certainly break down barriers making football accessible to a number of girls in West Norfolk. Girls’ football really took off last season at Alive KLCF and we are grateful for the ongoing support from Athena.”