Seneley and Garswood Juniors growing into new era with community focus

Set up in 1981, Seneley and Garswood Juniors has long been a popular community football club for youngsters, but has found it difficult to attract older players and keep people from transferring to neighbouring clubs.

These difficulties hit their highest peak during the pandemic as the club lost around three full squads due to the breaks in playing, but after a change in direction, Seneley and Garswood Juniors are making strides towards an exciting future.

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The club has grown from around 120 to 200 players over the past 18 months (Image: Paul Ellis)
Over the past twelve months, there has been a shift in leadership at the Garswood club, which has led to a significant increase in volunteers and players at the club.

With player numbers jumping from around 120 to 200 over the past 18 months, this has led to the creation of more junior teams and the first ever girls teams at Seneley and Garswood.

The change in direction has also led to the formation of the club's first ever senior team from next season, while new veterans and walking teams are also being discussed to diversify the club's offer.

There has been an increasing number of girls teams at the club (Image: Paul Ellis)
Speaking about the club, Paul Ellis, Club Secretary, said: "I moved to Garswood about ten years ago and my two boys have been playing at the club since they have been around 4 or 5 years old.

"In recent years, the club has lost lots of kids to nearby clubs and really struggled for numbers after covid.

"So as some of the volunteers who had helped to set up the club started to step down, a lot of parents felt it was necessary to get involved and sustain the club.

"We have had a big drive to build up numbers with volunteers and players, and want to offer as much as we can to become a real community club."

The club has committed to fundraisers such as one for Darren White, a former police officer who suffered a near fatal stroke (Image: Paul Ellis)
In addition to the club's increasing numbers, volunteers have also been looking into applying for grants to improve the club's facilities, changing rooms, and quality of pitches.

Club leaders are also aiming to provide more events and offers to integrate more into the community and make the club more inclusive.

This will include fundraisers, family fun-days, and affordable playing options under the club's new 'Football For All' initiative, with the club's upcoming presentation day planned to be a family-friendly community event on Sunday, June 23.