Club Doncaster Foundation

FOUNDATION UPDATE

Ahead of today’s Sky Bet League One match between Doncaster Rovers and Rochdale, an arguably bigger match took place between Howden Juniors and Dunsville Primary.

The two schools competed in the final of the EFL Utilita Kids Cup on the Keepmoat Stadium pitch to determine which of them will represent Rovers in the Northern Regional Final.

The Northern Regional Final will feature schools from all of the northern Sky Bet League One teams. The winner of that tournament will travel to Wembley Stadium to play in the final against the winner of the Southern Regional Final - that match will be played ahead of the Sky Bet League One play-off final.

The Utilita Kids Cup is an EFL Trust competition which aims to encourage children to be active and healthy through the power of football.

The nationwide tournament is growing year on year and in 2020 more teams took part in the Doncaster branch of the competition than before.

More than 350 children from across 44 schools headed to the Club Doncaster Academy pitches on Friday January 24 to take part in the all-day tournament hosted by the Foundation.

As well as matches, there were penalty shootouts and skills competitions to keep the players entertained the breaks.

All the matches were played in a competitive and sporting manner with all schools involved showing excellent team-work and above all enjoying themselves.

FOUNDATION UPDATE

The Foundation have opened a pop-up hub in Frenchgate to celebrate the 140 year anniversary of Rovers alongside a showcase of their activities.

Rovers fans will be able to see the key points in the club's history as well as have the opportunity to see vintage memorabilia, peruse old programmes and become involved with a series of events spread throughout February. residents through education, fitness, wellbeing and so much more. Young people will be able to find out about learning opportunities via the Sports

The Rovers140 pop-up hub is situated on the North Central Mall within Frenchgate – opposite New Look and River Island and will be open seven days a week until the whole of the month.

Foundation chief executive Lucy Nickson said: “We are really excited to partner with Frenchgate, bringing our activities to the centre of Doncaster in order to showcase how our work benefits local College, summer opportunities with NCS, as well as everything else the Foundation offers.”

Club Doncaster marketing manager Mark Hughesman added: “Frenchgate has given us a brilliant opportunity to celebrate 140 years of Rovers with such a prominent space.

“Both fans and the community at large have an opportunity to engage with the history of their local club as well as learn more and enjoy taster sessions of the activities delivered by the Foundation. With events planned throughout the month within the hub, this presents a fun and engaging set of activities for young and old, fans and the wider community - everyone is welcome."