LADIES TO CALL HIVE HOME

Rochdale AFC Ladies are delighted to have reached an agreement with Rochdale Hornets which will see the Hive at Balderstone become a home venue for the club for the upcoming season.

The facility, which boasts two newly laid rugby league pitches alongside the newly refurbed Million Pavilion changing rooms and pavilion, will host the older age groups (u14-u18) 11 a side league fixtures in the upcoming Greater Manchester Womens North and South Leagues.

“We are grateful of the support from Rochdale Hornets.

Finding facilities for 10 different teams every single week is our biggest challenge every year.

We made a commitment to our teams when we came out of Covid that we would play games in the borough, but that was proving near impossible until a chance discussion with Rochdale Hornets, who have acquired this great facility and have space over the winter due to the Rugby League season running in the summer.

Matt has been great to work with, as have the ground staff, in getting things ready – marking pitches, putting in sockets for our new posts and the likes.

We are looking forward to getting our season underway this weekend”

Commented Emma Thetford, Rochdale AFC Ladies.

Ryan Bradley, Community Director for Rochdale AFC Community Trust, added

“Finding pitch space in the borough is a constant battle for many grass roots team and we are no different.

Its no secret that we are looking to develop a Community Football Hub within the borough to service all of the teams that play for Rochdale AFC every week but until then we have to split ourselves across a myriad of venues.

Its great that the Hive can be made available to Rochdale AFC ladies for 2/3 games a weekend as it will allow us to  play teams side by side and boost the social benefits that playing football in a team brings for parents and families.

We look forward to working alongside Rochdale Hornets over the next season as we both look to grow participation in sport in the borough.”

Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation chairman Mark Wynn said:

“As a community foundation, we are going through an exciting new era of change. 

Following the opening of our new community facility in July, we are excited to now host Rochdale AFC Women’s junior & youth section at ‘The Hive’. 

This further enhances the already-strong connection that both of the town’s two professional sides have, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first set of fixtures this weekend.”

The Rochdale AFC Ladies season kicks off this weekend for 6 of the teams, with the newly formed u18 Blue, u16 and u13 taking to the field at the Hive , Balderstone, for the first time.

The u18 Black, u15 and the new Open Age Development team all have away fixtures whilst other teams start league campaigns next week.

To find out more about Rochdale AFC Ladies follow them on Facebook or visit www.rochdaleafccommunity.org


Pictured: (L-R) Matt Rigby, Rochdale Hornets; Emma Thetford, Rochdale AFC Ladies; Ryan Bradley, Rochdale AFC Community Trust.