Dyer Engineering has announced its sponsorship of the Deerness Valley FC Cheetahs, an under-12 girls’ football team. The partnership ensures the team can continue playing without financial barriers holding them back.
Based in Ushaw Moor, the Cheetahs compete in the Russell Foster U12 9v9 Division 1 and train at Durham Community Business College, playing their home games at Framwellgate Moor Secondary School. Despite their passion for the game, the team has faced challenges in a region where interest in girls’ grassroots football is still developing.
Chris Fitzpatrick, Coach of the Cheetahs commented, “Grassroots girls’ football is growing, but it’s tough in our area. We often don’t have enough players for substitutes, and the cost of kits could have meant excluding some of the girls. That would’ve been heartbreaking for us and could have led to the team folding.”
Determined to find a solution, Chris took to LinkedIn to seek sponsorship. Recognising the importance of grassroots sports, Durham based Dyer Engineering stepped in to cover the cost of kits, allowing all players to participate without financial strain.
Laurence Provost, Finance Director at Dyer Engineering commented, “We believe in supporting initiatives that inspire young people and strengthen our community. When we heard about the challenges the Cheetahs were facing, we knew we had to get involved. This is about more than football; it’s about ensuring opportunities for all in our region.”
The partnership will enable the Cheetahs to focus on developing their skills and competing against teams from across the region, free from the worry of financial barriers.
Dyer’s support marks a vital step in promoting girls’ grassroots football in Durham and reflects the company’s commitment to enriching the local community and providing opportunities for young people to thrive.
