EAST RIDING FA CLUB OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER 2023

The East Riding FA Club of the Month award recognizes the clubs in our county who are going above and beyond to create a fun, safe and inclusive environment for people to play and enjoy football.

The winner of this month’s award is Wilberfoss Mavericks JFC.

Based just off the A1079 in the northern part of the county Wilberfoss Mavericks JFC are a 1-star England Football Accredited club with 12 affiliated teams and over 200 registered players.

Formed back in 2003 the club are the focal point of their community and are proud to be celebrating their 20-year anniversary.

Led by Chairperson Jordan Chappleow and Secretary Caroline Gaines the club are supported by over 30 volunteers with the club enjoying tremendous growth in the number of teams it is available to provide.

What stands out at Wilberfoss Mavericks JFC though is the community spirit and togetherness which the club has become renowned for since its inception.

The club’s volunteers have worked tremendously hard to ensure that training sessions and matchdays are positive and welcoming with the club willing advocates of the FA Respect Programme.

When asked about the importance of the club’s volunteers Club Secretary Caroline Gaines said, “without volunteers, we do not have a club. They are the lifeblood that runs through it: from coaches to referees, from line markers to tuck shop volunteers, from hedge cutters to event coordinators. Every amount of time that someone can offer, no matter how limited, is of huge benefit to this club and we are deeply grateful to all who help us.”

Over the last four years the club has also seen a sharp increase in the number of female participants it has with the England Football Weetabix Wildcats programme proving to be successful in attracting girls aged 5-11 to the Mavericks.

Through the clubs Weetabix Wildcats session and through a lot of hard work by dedicated volunteers the club have gone on to create three teams which all now participate in the City of York Girls League.

As part of the clubs England Football Accreditation, they are also partnered with adult club Wilberfoss AFC who currently play in the York Minster Engineering League. This link up is particularly important to the clubs committee as they want to make sure that players can represent the village from junior through to adult football. 

With the population of the village and surrounding areas continuing to grow Club Secretary Caroline Gaines said, “We are excited that for the first-time next season we will have mixed age groups competing from U7 through to U15. We also hope to see growth in our girls’ squads.”

East Riding FA Participation and Communication’s Officer Chris Johnson said, “We are delighted that Wilberfoss Mavericks JFC are being recognised in what is their 20th anniversary season. After a recent visit to the club on matchday it’s clear that there is a real buzz about the place. The club is going from strength to strength and there is a real possibility that next season that they could become England Football 2-star Accredited.  

When presented with the award Club Secretary Caroline Gaines said, “Its fantastic recognition for this small club. Since it first started the club has grown significantly, but thanks to continued enthusiasm and commitment from local volunteers, it has continued to maintain its ethos of being a friendly and welcoming club to children of all age and ability.”

Carol also paid tribute to the club’s former secretary, “We have also bid farewell to our valued Club Secretary this season, Brett Romeniuk, who has stepped down after a 10 tenure.  The work he has done to help develop the club over this time has been immeasurable.