TESCO recently presented North Petherwin Badgers FC with a cheque for £1,000 which will go towards new goals for their junior pitch.

North Pertherwin Mini Badgers Youth FC was founded nearly three years ago by two dads who wanted their football-mad sons to be able to have a fun kick about with their friends.

It soon became quite obvious that there was a tremendous need for local children to happily play football with others, in a safe and secure environment right on their doorstep.

The Mini Badgers was the brain child of Tony Barriball and assisted by Andy Hunt.

The pair stated: “We started with around twelve kids, when our lads attended North Petherwin Primary School it was a bit jumper for goal posts in all weather!”

Many from North Petherwin and the surrounding community were also excited at the prospect of a convenient local club being formed and the following week they had around thirty children turn up with their parents. The pair continued: “We soon realised we may have hit something, and were certainly going to need more training bibs!”

Since then it’s become an organised community group with training sessions by two qualified FA coaches, Josh Chalk, level two, and Josh Mayne, level one.

For the younger ones, coming up through local girl Keisha started coaching at the club for her Duke of Edinburgh award, and now at sixteen, is currently being supported by the club to achieve her level one Fa coaching badge.

Boys and girls aged from six to fifteen are all catered for, and with a new pitch being prepared, they aim to have an under 14’s team represented in the East Cornwall FA Youth League next season, with further ambitions for the younger teams too.

The Badgers have been in constant communication with Cornwall FA, who have guided them with all the advice needed for todays grassroots football. With DA trained coaches in place, through to meeting the FA’s duty of care and welfare and safeguarding for all the children, North Petherwin Mini Badgers are creating a firm and secure foundation for local children in the community with a passion for the game.

The team will also be going on a sponsored bike ride on May 11 to further increase funds for the club.