The story so far ..................
There once was a group of girls in Kent playing together in four football teams - Under 10's, Under 12's, Under 14's, and Under 16's. They were known as Gillingham Girls RTC (Regional Talent Club) and were supported financially by the FA and Gillingham FC. They trained in Faversham and played in various leagues both in East Kent and across the South of England. The 53 players came from all parts of Kent, and were fully committed to their club, their coaches, their team mates and their sport - they trained hard with their team twice weekly, and trained individually at home in between - constantly striving to be the best that they could be.
THEN CAME COVID
The FA and Gillingham FC were forced to look at their financial situations and could no longer continue to support the Gillingham Girls RTC, leaving the 53 girls without a club - the club would effectively be disbanded - and the girls left to go their separate ways.
The girls and their families were understandably devastated by the news, and with the support of each of the team coaches, have sought a solution that would keep the girls together training as they were before, with their existing coaches, and continue to improve and develop as they had pre-covid.
This solution would not only be of benefit to the 53 girls displaced by covid, but this opportunity could be shared with other girls from Kent prepared to demonstrate the same commitment to be the best that they could be.
The parents and girls rallied from the devastating news, and set to work in finding a solution that would mirror the coaching and ethos of an FA Regional Talent Club but offer the experience to all girls Kent wide.
The existing girls played their part by continuing to train at home, whilst choosing a new name for their club. They in turn designed logos voting for their favourite, and picked out a new kit. The parents met together via zoom - exploring all options available to them and decided the best idea would be to create the opportunity to keep the girls together and set up an independent football club to be available to all the girls in Kent
............. and 2 months later Kent Girls Elite FC was born!
So why are we looking for funding?
We are starting from scratch. We have the girls and the coaches but nothing else!
We still need to fund:
Kits
Balls
First Aid Equipment
Coaching and Training Equipment
All-Weather Floodlit Training Venues
Matchday Pitches
Referees
League Fees and Insurance
How will this club benefit the girls of Kent?
The club will provide a centre of excellence for Kent based footballers to come and receive the very best standards of training in return for their commitment and efforts. They will have the opportunity to progress through the age groups and end up playing in the Junior Premier League playing teams across the South of England.
They will also have the opportunity to continue playing with their local teams and so the benefits of the training received with our club, will be felt at many other clubs across the county.
The club will ensure pathways are in place for our post 16 players to continue their football journeys into women's football at various tiers of the game.
How will the club be funded?
The club will be funded through player subscriptions, sponsorship, community donations and available grants (e.g. Sport England ‘Active Together’).
Why Crowdfunder?
Sport England have launched an ‘Active Together’ campaign whereby they will consider matching any funding raised through Crowdfunder, to a maximum grant of £10,000.
Thank you for reading and considering our campaign. We hope you are able to feel the passion and enthusiasm behind our cause, and can support us in some way - giving all Kent girls the opportunity to be the best footballers that they can be.