Avery FC, whose teams will wear Kappa kit in the forthcoming season, is a club that likes to do things differently. Most clubs start with a first team, adding in other sides, including youth teams, when time and resources permit. But when Avery FC was set up in 2020 the club, based about six miles west of Birmingham, started with youth development at its very heart.
This is captured in one of the club’s aims which is:
“To provide football for all children of all ages and abilities in a fun and safe environment.”
FOUR YEARS DOWN THE LINE...
Four years later and the youth side is flourishing, with 13 teams – including two girls’ teams - ranging in age from under-7s to under-16s, as well an under-18s side playing in the prestigious Midland Youth Floodlit League. Avery youth players have gone on to join top-flight local football clubs including West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City and Aston Villa.
But the club was aware that many youth players are lost to the game when they reach 18, particularly those not ready to step up to first team football immediately. With that in mind, the club also aims to provide, “A pathway for Semi-professional/Professional Football for all”, which explains their latest venture which is to establish an adult team to which talented young players can aspire.
GOOD NEWS INCOMING
In June the news came through that the team has been accepted into the West Midlands Regional League – the oldest league in England – where they will play in the 2024-25 season. Along with the under-18s side, this gives children a pathway to the higher levels of the game. As Avery founder and Chairman, Simon Waterhouse says:
“We want the first team to compete in this first season and hopefully move up the divisions and leagues thereafter.”
He adds:
“With the manager and his coaching staff I believe we have a set-up like no other club. There are 13 youth managers who are all together on the same page, pushing in the same direction to get the children up and into these teams. And in two season time we will also add an under-21’s side.”
AVERY'S CORE PRINCIPLES
But the club has not lost sight of its core principles and aims. Simon explains:
“We look to football to help keep children fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. We also help children in the deprived areas around us, with lots of them coming from different ethnic backgrounds.”
It hasn’t all been plain sailing though. In 2022, the club was on the verge of folding in the face of a a doubling of venue hire prices. Thankfully a local white knight came to the rescue. Simon says that:
“We survived thanks to Warley Rugby Club. Avery FC are now in a partnership with them and we and have two sites for all the children and first team to play their football. We’re looking to a bright future working alongside the rugby club.”
AVERY TO KAPPA
So why did the club decide to go with Kappa for its kit needs? Simon explains:
“We chose Kappa because we were able to design a bespoke kit unlike any other. And Kappa offers brilliant quality, well-made kits at a very competitive price, plus great service. Hopefully we’ll get to stay with Kappa again when we undertake a complete re-branding of the club in the 25/26 season.”
Avery FC’s motto is ‘Ad esse optimum’, meaning ‘To be the best’. It’s an aspiration that Kappa is fully behind, and we look forward to seeing the club move from success to success in the future.
