Member Article

Bizspace keep it local with Ovenden Phoenix sponsorship

Bizspace’s Calderdale Business Park in Halifax is proud to be lending its support to a community football team right on its doorstep.

The firm, which provides flexible business accommodation for a wide range of companies, has sponsored the away kit for Ovenden Phoenix FC, which trains just down the road from the business centre on Club Lane.

The relatively new team, launched in 2014, is chaired by Karen Scanlon and managed by her husband Ade Scanlon, in a voluntary role.

“This will be the team’s second season in the Halifax Sunday League and we are delighted that such a well known firm as Bizspace has stepped up to sponsor our new away kit and training jackets,” Karen said.

The team was originally set up with teenagers and young men who were involved with anti-social behaviour with in the North Halifax area, but are now making a positive changes to their lives, in this case through football. Currently there are 23 team members, aged between 16 and 33 signed up for the 2015/2016 season.

“The name Ovenden Phoenix is all about having a fresh start, and rising from the ashes,” Karen said.

“It’s given the lads the self-belief that they can really achieve things if they try. They’ve been learning so much over the last two years, by taking up opportunities to mix with professionals at Huddersfield FC and attend West Yorkshire Fire Fighters Charity events alongside members of the fire service. It’s brilliant and refreshing to see the lads settling down, getting jobs, apprenticeships or starting training courses and improving their outlook for the better.”

Karen continued: “We are lucky to have had such fantastic support from local businesses and organisations, as well as West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who have helped and supported us with creating our own fundraising events such as car washes and penalty shoot outs.”

Tom Harrowell, manager of Calderdale Business Park, first became aware of the team because several of the players attend the North Halifax Construction Skills centre, which is based at the business centre.

“I was really impressed with the story behind the team and how it’s genuinely making a positive impact in the Ovenden area,” Tom said.

“Many of our customers at the business centre live very locally, so it makes sense to support a worthwhile cause that’s so close to home. We will be following the team’s progress throughout the season and wish them the best.”

Bizspace’s sales and marketing director, Emma Long, added: “Our business centres are a real part of the community and our Halifax site in particular is home to a large number of companies, charities and organisations which employ people who live in the immediate area. We are really honoured to be supporting Ovenden Phoenix FC and we are sure that the lads will continue to do Ovenden proud.”

Ovenden Phoenix are hoping to improve on their first 2014/2015 season in the Halifax Sunday League, during which they were delighted to win the Sportsmanship of the year Award from the league. They were also winners of the 2015 North Halifax Neighbourhood Awards for Young People.

Bizspace is one of the UK’s leading national providers of flexible business space.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Wyldfire PR .