Why Derek Champions Women and Girls
Derek Roberts with Chloe Sampson at the FAWNL Plate Final
Derek Roberts’ involvement with AFC Wimbledon Foundation began with AFC Wimbledon’s Women’s team, where he volunteers and sponsors some of the players.
He was inspired by Rosie Russell’s pathway from the youth programme to the First Team and now supports our Girls Player Development Centre, in the hope that he will see more players like Rosie go on to become homegrown First Team Players.
When asked why he became involved with AFC Wimbledon Foundation, Derek said the following:
“My involvement with the AFC Wimbledon Foundation began with the AFC Wimbledon Women’s team where I volunteer and sponsor players.
Having seen players such as Rosie Russell exceed at the First Team level and then finding out that she had come up through the AFC Wimbledon youth programme opened my eyes to the quality of our programme, and how young girls actually have someone on the First Team to look up to and keep their belief in one day walking out of the Plough Lane tunnel themselves.
This helped me to make the decision to speak to Paul and Nicole about how I could help support the youth development programme to ensure the future of the female football programme at AFC Wimbledon. Hearing that Nicole has the same passion for the advancement of young girls and desire to ensure that all girls regardless of their economic background are accepted into the programme made my decision so much easier.
Being able to directly support the Girls Player Development Centre gives me the hope that one day I will see more players like Rosie that have come through the programme and become home grown players. And seeing the pride in her parents’ eyes when the women won the league championship, and Rosie was voted as young player of the year this year and hearing her dad talk about seeing her grow up in the programme shows how much this centre means to players, family, friends and fans.
“Being able to directly support the Girls Player Development Centre gives me the hope that one day I will see more players like Rosie that have come through the programme and become home grown players.”
On a personal note, my support is given in memory of my own daughter Amme who would be turning 25 years old this year. I know that she would have been out there playing in the development programmes as she grew up, and if she had not turned professional, she would have been back at the centre helping Nicole with the next generation of girls become the best players they can.
I have been giving a regular gift to AFC Wimbledon Foundation for a year now and I know that Nicole and the team are reaching more girls and giving more opportunities to more girls in their advancement of football skills.
I would highly recommend to anyone that is looking to support a programme that takes the development of young girls’ football and social skills so seriously to sign up with a regular gift today.”
It has been a phenomenal season on the pitch for AFC Wimbledon’s Women’s team, wrapping up the league title with one game to spare, having seen off strong competition from Norwich.
You can still buy tickets for Sunday’s game to celebrate with the the team and watch them lift the trophy at Plough Lane. Kids go FREE so just click the button below!
The Foundation’s Family Zone will be running behind the East Stand, providing a fun, safe and inclusive environment for young people, children and their families. Activities include an inflatable football target, mini football matches, face painting, colouring, lego and much more!