Testimonials
Charlotte Hegarty - Under 16's Blues and Under 12's Teams
Wrenthorpe Rangers is more than just a football club. Our eldest has now been
playing for the club for 8 years and our youngest for 4 and have gained many
friends in the local community which is great as they don't attend the local
school. The children have raised money not just for their own club but for other
children’s charities including a boy needing a new wheelchair who a lot of the
boys met during a charity match. I think it gives them an understanding of
peoples needs in the community. My husband and I have also gained many friends
who we socialise with in and out of football. Our eldest boy has taken his
referees course which also goes towards his Duke of Edinburgh Award and is also
wanting to take a coaching course when he Is sixteen and with this qualification
he's hoping to put time back into the club by helping to coach younger team
members at grass roots level therefore coming full circle.
Bev Robertson - Under 9’s & Kindergarten
Local training and home matches within walking distance, health of whole family,
reduced pollution etc . Both boy and girl made welcome equally. Children meet
other children from 5 different schools they wouldn’t have otherwise met and
have made firm friendships. Adults have met parents we otherwise would not have
met both at football and at club social events. We would not have experienced
junior football if it not had been local
Sue Hopwood - Under 12 & 10’s Teams
My family has been a part of Wrenthorpe Rangers football club for around 5
years. With two boys aged 10 and 11, football plays a large part in all our
lives. Our children look forward to weekly training sessions with their coaches
and can't wait for match days to arrive at the weekend. We have always been glad
we chose Wrenthorpe Rangers as a football club. The Club puts children's welfare
and enjoyment of the game of football before results. Each child Is given a
chance to play. Children with less ability are welcomed as part of the team and
allowed to improve without being subject to pressure. The Club allows children
to make friends with those from other schools in the area which has assisted
this year with our older son’s transition into high school. Children not only
forge relationships with others in their age group but at club events and on the
training grounds children of all ages mix well. Everyone feels part of the club
and the younger children now look up to many of the older children who are
refereeing on behalf of the club or taking football training sessions at local
schools. The Club appears to be continually developing and trying new ventures.
My children are especially excited about the prospect of training on floodlit
pitches at our local high school in the near future and setting off on a
overseas football tour as this years under 16 age group did last year. Certainly
they see themselves being part of the club for many years to come.
Andrea Browne - Girls Under 12 Team
Our daughter enjoys playing football and Wrenthorpe give her the opportunity of
playing for our local team. Wrenthorpe run the club for the benefit of the
children and always try to get players to play in a fair and supporting way and
resist all forms of gamesmanship. Without the under 12 girls team ay Wrenthorpe
we would have to look further a field for teams with similar commitment to the
girl’s development and look at what training facilities best suit our daughter.
Mr & Mrs A Pretty - Under 9’s and Kindergarten
As parents of boys who play in both U6’s & U9’s football, we believe that
Wrenthorpe Rangers Football Club plays a big part within the community of
Wrenthorpe. Our sons have gained football skills within a safe environment
whilst making lots of new friends. The Club has players from many of the local
schools which we believe will help when they all meet at one of the local
schools which we believe will help when they all meet at the one high school in
years to come. Hopefully this will rule out many of the horror stories that you
hear about bullying when children from neighboring schools merge as they will
have played together from an early age and formed solid friendships. The coaches
promote fair play & develop social skills whilst encouraging them to remain fit
& healthy. Whilst the players are keen to attend football training & matches
which are outside in summer months, it means they are not confined to the house.
The club is described by many as the heart of the village, with many friendships
being
made by both children & adults alike. The club has family social events
throughout the year which is a great way of meeting other parents/players & the
coaches of each age group. We look forward to many footballing years as part of
the Wrenthorpe Rangers JFC.
John Aldcroft and Gaynor Wood - Under 16 Team Reds
Our son Thomas began to play football with Wrenthorpe Rangers at the age of 7.
Over the years we have seen the shy little boy from back then develop into a
confident young man, able to work and play as part of a team. Thomas has
benefited from the sense of pride and achievements and abilities of the team as
a whole. He also understands that the club as an institution is not only a major
influence on the local community, but has also become a focus for pride in the
wider local area. This was demonstrated by the large number of compliments the
boys received for their efforts, hard work, team spirit and behavior during
their many fundraising events to cover the costs incurred to play football in
Spain against similar clubs. We accompanied the boys on this trip and were all
filled with genuine pride when we saw the sense of belonging, team spirit and
willingness to help and protect each other. Their good humoured banter and sense
of fun ensured that laughter was abundant throughout the trip and made it a
pleasure to be involved. Wrenthorpe Rangers Junior Football Club has brought
together the very best aspects of a diverse community. Adults volunteering their
precious spare time to pass on their footballing skills (theory only in some
cases) as well as life lessons in pride, responsibility, sportsmanship and above
all fun! We have many people to thank at Wrenthorpe Rangers from the Chairman
and other members of the Management Committee, the Coaches, Team
Representatives, the volunteers who week in and week out run the tuck shop and
raffles (often donating prizes). The volunteers who help with training, net
erecting and removal, Refereeing and line running and turning up at every match
to support the children in their footballing efforts. Above all else we would
like to thank the boys and girls of all ages without whom the club would have no
players, the village would have no teams, the community would have no focus, no
communication network and no method of bringing all ages, sexes, colours and
creeds together in a common goal! Thank you boys and girls.
Antony Calvert (Cllr)
I would like to commend Wrenthorpe Rangers for the hard work they do within
the local community both in and around Wrenthorpe. As a local district
councillor I have many concerns about by local area. One primary issue we have
is trying to find things for young people to do with their spare time. Many
communities have this problem, but in Wrenthorpe we are very fortunate to have
Wrenthorpe Rangers FC. In the short space of time they have been in existence
many youngsters from all different backgrounds have benefited from being
involved with the football club. I have seen a noticeable decline in the number
of young people who have nothing to occupy their spate time, and playing
competitive sport certainly helps them steer clear of the obesity problems
children are suffering from these days. As well as the startling growth in
numbers of young people from the area participating in football, Wrenthorpe
Rangers have also been heavily involved with local businesses. Several local
companies have sponsored the team and this has doubtlessly helped market their
products and services. Young players from Wrenthorpe Rangers have also been
involved in helping raise money for charities and other good causes, bringing
positive media exposure to players and the wider local community. I consider
this organisation, which is totally operated by volunteers and parents, to be a
quite outstanding example of how a good local organisation should be run. They
work very hard to help the area they represent in the news for the right
reasons. With a district council that hasn’t spent a lot improving recreation
facilities for younger people Wrenthorpe Rangers provide a vital local service
to the community.
Angel Rayner - Under 16 Team Reds
My son has played for Wrenthorpe Rangers JFC for ten years which has proved to
be a very rewarding experience for both him and myself. It has given him the
opportunity of not just developing his sporting skills and working as part of a
team, but also pride in representing his community. Throughout we have been
involved in a variety of fund raising events-some for the club itself, but many
for other charities or more personal causes such as the support given to
cerebral palsy sufferer Daniel Spencer.
It’s great to see football bringing our village and community spirit together,
and from a personal point of view our involvement has enriched my families
social life. Overall our involvement has been a very positive experience which
has helped to develop my son’s confidence and to widen his social conscience and
in generally bringing people of different walks of life, abilities and ages
together.