Much Needed Support for Primary Sport

Stockport County Community Sports and Education Foundation team recently enlisted a new main sponsor for their very successful primary schools 6-a-side tournament. New Directions Education, a recruitment and training provider to the education sector were pleased to be able to support the club and the ‘sports mad’ schools by signing up to sponsor the 2013 cup competition.

Over 120 schools are expected to take part in the coming weeks in the three competitions, with the finals for each cup to be played on the Blue Square Bet Premier side’s Edgeley Park pitch on Tuesday April 30th.

The Under 11’s competition includes the ‘Tameside Cup’ with matches played at Astley Sports College in Dukenfield, the ‘Football 4 All’ Cup for Stockport schools and the High Peak Cup for the north of Derbyshire with heats in Glossop and Buxton.

New Directions is also sponsoring the girls Under 11 cup competition with rounds to be played at Houldsworth Village, before the finalists battle it out on the 30th at Edgeley Park.

Mike Smith, Stockport County’s Community Officer said ‘’We are delighted to work with New Directions Education in holding our U11’s Community Cup for Primary Schools in Tameside, Stockport and High Peak. This gives local children the chance to play in a structured competitive tournament and hopefully win a place in their final and play on the Stockport County FC pitch. Our thanks go to Stuart Ash and all at New Directions Education’’.

The competition sponsorship is part of New Directions Education commitment to supporting local schools and sport in the community. The company has for a number of years supported similar competitions with Championship leaders, Cardiff City Football Club, from their head office in Cardiff.

Amanda Stothard, from New Directions Manchester office said ‘’As a company supporting and servicing many schools in the area the company are delighted to be working with Stockport County on this activity. We hope that it is the start of a long term partnership with the club, and we know how important this funding is to the community scheme and to primary school competitive sport.’’

New Directions Business Development Officer Stuart Ash is pictured presenting the cheque to Mike Smith from the Stockport County Community Sports & Education Foundation during half time in the clubs recent game against Hereford United.