Norfolk league asks churches to adopt youth teams
The Norfolk Christian Football League is appealing for local churches to get involved with football in their local communities by adopting ten new youth teams wanting to join the league.
The league has received applications from ten youth teams that want to join the league but all need a church or Christian organization to sponsor or adopt the team before they can be accepted.
According to league vice chairman, Jim Green, it is a great opportunity for churches to get involved with young people and families in their local community.
Jim said: “In line with our need to uphold the Christian ethos of the league, new teams need to be supported or adopted by a church or Christian organisation.
“This does not involve being a football coach or manager, or washing the kit every week. It does involve supporting the team in such a way that your church is happy to say that it is part of their ministry.”
How this is worked out will vary from church to church but this could include
-
praying with the teams before the home game (all matches start with prayer)
-
saying a thought/Bible verse before the prayer (one minute maximum)
-
praying with the team away from the match situation
-
serving drinks to players and parents
-
Bringing half time oranges
-
inviting them to church events
-
putting on end of season awards events
These are just ideas. The only one of these that has to happen is the pre-match prayer, everything else is up to the church and helps achieve the league vision of “Connecting Church to Community Through Football”.
So far Thorpe Rovers U10, Mattishall U12 team and an U10 team from Silver Road have been successful in finding church support for their application.
Churches are being asked to offer support to the following teams in their application to join the league.
Hillside Rovers U10 – Thorpe St Andrew
Sprowston U10 – Sprowston or Heartsease
Mulbarton U10 – Mulbarton Parish
Firside U12 – Hellesdon
Blofield – Blofield, Brundall, Thorpe End Parishes
Thorpe United Girls U16 – Thorpe parish
To express an interest, please contact league chairman Mike Culwick on mcculwick@gmail.com or Jim Green on jimpiecrust@gmail.com.