Member Article

AkzoNobel supports Ashington Juniors

Jeff Hope, site manager of AkzoNobel’s new manufacturing plant in Ashington, may have blown the whistle on his own football career, but he was more than happy to give a kick-start to a junior soccer team that was looking for support.

Jeff, from Red Row, who played for Red Row Brick Club under 15s and East Northumberland schoolboys - and still remembers the friendships, excitement and pride he gained from his footballing youth - was only too keen to support Ashington Juniors, as kit-sponsors.

The under-10 Ashington Juniors, which is part of Ashington Town FC, play seven-a-side in the Premiership of the Northumberland Football Association mini soccer league.

Jeff said: “Anyone who lives in South East Northumberland knows the passion that people have for sport and football in particular. It is something that you are born into and as a youngster you take immense pride in playing for your school, your town or, in my particular case, representing East Northumberland.

“At AkzoNobel Ashington it is very much our aim to be an integral part of the local community and to inspire and colour people’s lives. We do this in many ways - and in Ashington alone we have instigated a variety of arts and education-based projects via schools and Northumberland College. We also recognise the importance of sport in terms of health and wellbeing and how it empowers people to learn and grow in a very positive way. It has a massive impact on young people as it builds confidence and allows them to express themselves as individuals. By encouraging youngsters to take part in sport, there is more chance that they will grow up healthy and continue to take physical exercise.”

As part of its commitment to staff welfare and health, Jeff has pulled together an AkzoNobel football team that is in training for a big day at St James Park, as one of several local supporters teams that have arranged to play on the sacred turf once the season is over.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by AkzoNobel Ashington .