Leek Building Society Champions Women’s and Girls’ Football Across Staffordshire

Staffordshire Football Association and Leek Building Society are delighted to launch a 3-year partnership, which will see the Staffordshire-based building society become the official partner of women’s and girls’ football activities delivered by Staffordshire FA. 

With this partnership, Leek Building Society will sponsor the Staffordshire FA Women’s Challenge Cup, a new Girls’ U16s County Cup, the Staffordshire FA’s Women’s Coach Development Group, and an exciting new women’s and girls’ football initiative for 2023-24, titled ‘Levelling the Score’. 

Recognised as the UK’s Best Building Society in the 2023 British Bank Awards, Leek Building Society is well known for positively impacting their local communities, members, and employees, by supporting a broad range of clubs, charities, and worthy causes in their heartland both directly and through its Charitable Foundation. Their support of local grassroots football via this new partnership with Staffordshire FA, will enable the further development and growth of the women’s and girls’ game across the county harnessing inspiration from the recent Women’s World Cup and the success of the Lionesses.

Gareth Thomas, Commercial & Partnerships Lead at Staffordshire FA, said: "We’re delighted to have developed a partnership with such a strong and recognised Staffordshire-based organisation in Leek Building Society. From the initial meetings we held with their Deputy CEO Darren Ditchburn, and Head of Branch Network and Customer Support Ian Blurton, it was apparent how committed the building society is to giving back to their communities. Leek Building Society makes a positive impact to communities across the heartlands and their support of Staffordshire FA will make a real difference to women’s and girls’ football across the county."

He added: "As the women’s and girls’ game continues to grow both locally and nationally, with the Lionesses continuing to inspire the next generation, it’s vital that we embrace this positive momentum to keep growing and developing women’s and girls’ football in Staffordshire. Led by our Football Participation Officer for the Female Pathway, Dani Taylor, the Association along with key stakeholders across the women’s and girls’ game in Staffordshire will be able to make a positive impact on existing projects and new innovative ideas to further develop women’s and girls’ football, thanks to the support received from Leek Building Society, of which we are very grateful for."

Darren Ditchburn, Deputy CEO of Leek Building Society, added: "We’re absolutely thrilled to announce our support for women’s and girls’ football across Staffordshire. Through this partnership, we hope to encourage more women and girls to participate in football at all levels, where every young girl with a passion for the game has the chance to pursue their dreams, free from any barriers or stereotypes. We firmly believe that women’s and girls’ football has a bright future in Staffordshire, and we are excited to be a part of that journey. Together with Staffordshire FA, we look forward to making a lasting and positive impact on women’s and girls’ football in Staffordshire and creating a legacy that inspires generations to come."