Wrexham AFC is delighted to confirm SP Energy Networks as the Club’s Official Headline Community Partner, in a deal which will start on July 1, 2022.
Running until summer 2024, the Distribution and Transmission Network Operator’s partnership with the Club will include a close relationship with the rebranded Wrexham AFC Community Trust – previously the Racecourse Community Foundation.
SP Energy Networks will also become Official Sponsor of Wrexham AFC’s Boys and Girls Centre of Excellence teams, as well as Official Sponsor of Wrexham AFC’s Powerchair Football team.
SP Energy Networks transmits, distributes and connects electricity to and from 3.5 million homes and businesses over its network, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
It invests approximately £7 billion into the electricity network to create a better future, quicker, for its customers and communities.
Wrexham AFC CEO Fleur Robinson said: “We’re pleased to welcome SP Energy Networks as the Club’s Official Headline Community Partner and thoroughly look forward to working alongside them moving forward.
“This deal is a fantastic illustration of the continuing commercial appeal of Club and supports the desire of our co-chairmen to make a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham.
“Furthermore, this is a clear sign of the Club’s commitment to promoting inclusion and participation, and we’re delighted that SP Energy Networks will be supporting us in this area.
“We are the first Club in Wales to offer Powerchair Football, and we are delighted as part of this partnership to welcome SP Energy Networks as the team’s first Official Sponsor as we continue to promote football for all.”
Liam O’Sullivan, SP Manweb Licence Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re passionate about supporting the communities we serve and through the partnership with Wrexham AFC we want to help break down the barriers that prevent some people from becoming involved with football, while promoting health and well-being.
“We’ll work closely with Wrexham AFC over the next two years to drive community engagement and I’m very proud that the partnership will play a role in supporting girls, boys and Powerchair football teams. I’m looking forward to seeing participation continue to develop over the coming years and I can’t wait to get along to support the teams.”
The Wrexham AFC Community Trust aims to utilise football, other sports and physical activities to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of individuals in Wrexham and North Wales.
Through a range of programmes, run both independently and also through schools, the Wrexham AFC Community Trust’s goals include introducing and enhancing skills in football; increasing participation in football and regular physical activity; improving the literacy level and ability of young people and other target groups; using football and physical activity to improve educational attainment, self-confidence and community cohesion; and promoting safety in our community.
Programmes include Girls Football Hubs, Walking Football, weekly Fun Football Sessions for primary-age children, Huddle girls’ football sessions and, during school holidays, Autism-Friendly Football.
As part of this new partnership, the Wrexham AFC Community Trust will also now undertake delivery of SP Energy Networks’ Powerwise Programme, which provides interactive learning resources to help children and young people learn about the dangers of electricity. The programme supports the school curriculum in Wales to deliver power safety advice.
Gavin Jones, Chair of the Trustees of the Wrexham AFC Community Trust, said: “We are pleased to welcome the partnership introduced by the Club with SP Energy Networks.
“As with many in similar situations, the pandemic had a big impact on the activities of the Community Trust. As we come out of the other side, all involved look forward to continuing to make a positive difference to the Wrexham community.
“SP Energy Networks’ Powerwise Programme is a really exciting example of how we can use partnerships to enhance the impact we make in our community.”