Teamwork key to club’s success

Photo: Gareth Lowe

VICKY Cunningham (right) and colleague Paula Revell, with young volunteers Zack Pilkington (left) and Brandon Adams, who have been volunteering at Springhead AFC.

Chron Sport looks at Oldham’s sports clubs and volunteers, who dedicate significant chunks of their time to the next generation of British sportsmen.
SPRINGHEAD AFC’S motto ‘working together to achieve more’ tells you all you need to know about what makes them tick.

A string of awards have simply served as a reminder that this is a club dedicated to helping people from all kinds of

backgrounds and at both ends of the age scale.

Springhead take the time and trouble to not only welcome youngsters to the club and develop their skills, but also hammer home the importance of discipline and respect.

Coaching and leadership courses help to widen their knowledge of the game, and many stay on to train sides when they get older.

Last year the club bagged a hat-trick — the West Riding Community Club of the Year, Oldham Volunteer Club of the Year, and Oldham Athletic Community Trust Club of the Year.

The gongs came just 12 months after they received the Oldham Athletic Community Trust young coach of the year accolade, thanks to the hard work of Stephen Reilly and Billy Fletcher, and Rochdale and Oldham Youth League club official of the year for the efforts of secretary Vicky Cunningham.

Springhead never stand still and the latest scheme, a sports leaders course, saw players Brandon Adams and Zack Pilkington (both 15) shadow team

managers in their free time, in order to prepare them for coaching roles in the future.

Our Lady’s pupil Brandon and Zack, who attends Saddleworth School, spend Saturday mornings on the touchline at matches.

Vicky said: “They both love the course, and we have been very impressed by their attitude.

“The lads are dedicated.

“They get a lot out of it and hopefully they will be able to coach one day.

“Development officer Paula Revill has played a key role in putting the project together. So far 10 young people have signed up for it.”

The club also do plenty of community work with West Riding County FA, Greater Manchester Police, the Primary Care Trust and Oldham Sports Development.

They also enjoy strong links with fellow FA Community Charter Standard club Uppermill FC, and Oldham Athletic.

Community fun days are a big hit at Springhead, as are the mini-soccer school run by volunteer coaches, charity tournaments and an awards event, which recognises the efforts of local people.

A member of the Oldham Football Forum, Saddleworth Football Forum and the Voluntary Sport Network Oldham, Springhead are at the heart of sport in the community.


Anyone interested in getting involved in voluntary sport in Oldham can call Simon Tait, of Oldham Council’s youth sports development team, on (0161) 770 3050 or email simon.tait@oldham.gov.uk