Principal Partner shortlisted for Grassroots Sports Sponsorship award
Select Car Leasing, Principal Partner of Reading FC, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award in recognition of its support of grassroots football.
Since becoming Principal Partner in June 2021, by working with the Reading FC Community Trust and our Academy - as well as charitable organisations – Select has supported a number of grassroots initiatives designed to improve the lives of young people.
Select’s award nomination highlights three unique campaigns: ‘Meals for Kids’, Kit Sponsorship, and ‘Tickets for Kids’.
Each week, a local grassroots team is selected to receive a batch of tickets – meaning a free day at the football for young football fans and their parents and coaches as part of their ‘Tickets for Kids’ scheme.
During the summer, winter and Easter school breaks, the Reading FC Community Trust runs free week-long Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Camps created to offer a safe environment to care, develop and educate the disadvantaged or at-risk young people within Reading and the surrounding areas.
A key facet of the camps is to provide healthy, nutritious food to youngsters while they take part in activities designed to boost physical and mental wellbeing. And to help support the scheme, Select last year pledged more than £4,000 to provide the meals.
in 2022 Select partnered with an organisation called Grassroots FA to identify underprivileged grassroots football teams in the Thames Valley region who might benefit from kit sponsorship.
And in recognition of those achievements, Select has been shortlisted for the ‘Grassroots Sports Sponsorship’ prize at The UK Sponsorship Awards 2023.
Mark Tongue, Director of Select Car Leasing – who also coaches a girls’ under-9s team – said: “On behalf of everyone at Select Car Leasing who has worked on these campaigns, we’re thrilled and excited to be shortlisted for a prize at The UK Sponsorship Awards 2023.
“As a grassroots football coach myself, I know the challenges facing teams and families when it comes to funding and support. By working in conjunction with Reading FC, we’ve been able to give something back to the community while also building long-term relationships with local enterprises and industry leaders.
“We’re proud to be shortlisted in the ‘Grassroots Sports Sponsorship’ award category, and we’re very much looking forward to the event itself.”
Tim Kilpatrick, Head of Commercial at Reading Football Club, added: “We are delighted that Select Car Leasing are so active at supporting the local community through their partnership with Reading FC.
“These initiatives have a meaningful impact on families and young people in the local area and it demonstrates their passion and commitment to supporting grassroots football, and their nomination for Grassroots Sports Sponsorship award is richly deserved.”
The awards take place on Tuesday 28 March at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.