London Bees are delighted to annouce that the Club has been nominated for the FAWNL Community Club of the Year.
The Hive Foundation has played a vital role in strengthening the connection between the Club and the local community over the past year.
Through a range of initiatives, the Foundation has organised training sessions involving the first-team squad and welcomed local grassroots clubs, local secondary schools, and the Barnet Women’s Walking Football Team, to take part in special coaching sessions alongside the team.
The Foundation has also invited these groups to several London Bees home fixtures throughout the season, giving participants the opportunity to wave flags on the pitch and walk out with their favourite London Bees players ahead of kick-off.
Throughout the campaign, the Club continued to expand its community outreach, with London Bees players Thea Budden and loanee Fran Vigo joining the Hive Foundation as casual coaches.
In their roles, they have helped organise and lead coaching sessions for boys’ and girls’ groups, promoting the enjoyment of football while inspiring the next generation of young players.
Another standout achievement for both the Club and the Foundation came during the Women’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against WSL side Liverpool.
The Foundation arranged for London Bees players to walk out alongside their family members before kick-off, while local grassroots club Whetstone Wildcats and club mascot Mrs. Bumble proudly waved the team onto the pitch with black and amber flags in a memorable show of support in front of a record breaking attendence for the Club.
Speaking on the Club’s nomination, Hive Foundation Manager Aleks Czerniec said:
“I am very proud of this achievement.
When I started as the Foundation Manager, I really wanted to push Community engagement with the London Bees as women’s football is the future.
To have people like Fran Vigo and Thea Budden so engaged in it all as well is so really helpful, and I want to thank London Bees Head Coach Dan McKimm as well as he is always very open to the opportunities that we try and give the community”.
The winner will be announced at the FAWNL Awards Ceremony on the 31st of May at Wembley Stadium, ahead of the Women’s FA Cup Final.
COYB!