AS part of Spencer Melksham Bowls Club’s centenary celebrations, the club has donated 100 shirts to Zambia. The donation was made via the Swindon Town Football Club Community Foundation (STFC).
When Spencer Melksham Bowls Club’s shirts were redesigned, the club said they were unsure of what to do with the old shirts.
“It has been ‘out with the gold and maroon and in with the pink and purple,’” says club secretary Anne Hutchinson.
“The question was, ‘what can we do with the old shirts?’ Most members had accumulated a sizeable number of shirts over the years. The answer came from club member, Alan Jarman, who suggested he could contact the Swindon Town Football Club Community Foundation, who, he assured us, would be able to make use of the club shirts we could no longer use.
“The STFC Community Foundation sends kit annually to Zambia, as well as travelling there to deliver coach education workshops and disability coaching projects.
“As a result, we welcomed the head of the foundation, Jon Holloway and assistant head, Shane Hewlett, to the clubhouse on 13th May to receive our donation of in excess of 100 shirts, and tell us a bit about the work of the community foundation.
“Since 2007, STFC Community Foundation have been travelling to Zambia to deliver coach education workshops and disability coaching projects, which gives the opportunity of match experience, coaching and tutoring for the area’s young players, coaches, and referees.
“In addition to the work they do when they are in Zambia, the foundation annually sends over kit and boots for the local teams. Spencer Melksham Bowls Club is proud to be able to play a part in this programme by donating the shirts we can no longer use.”
The club is holding a Family Fun Day on Saturday 25th May, from 11am to 4pm, where visitors can have a go at playing bowls, along with family activities.
“As well as trying your hand at a game of bowls, we have lots planned for the whole family, including a bouncy castle, face painting, gifts and crafts. You will find us on Beanacre Road. Just wear flat shoes to try playing bowls; we’ll supply the rest,” says Anne.
If you want to find out more about the work of the STFC Community Foundation, both locally and internationally, go to www.stfcfoundation.com
