Harpenden Rovers football club was formed in 2018, with just a handful of children and a few enthusiastic Dads. Originally based at the old 'Rovers' ground on Cravells Road (unaffectionately known as The Cabbage Patch), the club trained at a number of different locations before settling into its current home at Katherine Warington School on the Lower Luton Road. It meets on a Saturday morning across the season as well as training sessions for some of the year groups on the new astro pitch. It now has over 200 registered players aged 5-13, and over 50 adult coaches - all volunteers, and all fully FA qualified. The ethos of the Club has remained constant since it was founded - it should be fun, it should be accessible to everyone, and it is about trying hard and playing well more than focusing solely on winning.
From the very beginning Harpenden Trust has supported Rovers Youth FC in keeping membership fees as affordable as possible. This has included providing funding for basic training equipment (balls, cones etc) and assisting with the purchase of kits for younger players - which were emblazoned with the Harpenden Trust logo across the chest.
In 2023 the Club went through the process of becoming an FA accredited club, which incurred some additional one-off costs. The Trust was able to help the Club once again, providing funding for a number of FA competition grade goals, and FA grassroots league compliant corner flags (branded with the Harpenden Trust logo).
Without the financial support from the Trust, memberships fees would have been significantly higher and would have potentially limited the significant growth of the club. The Club is extremely grateful for the support the Trust has provided since the Club was founded in support of enabling more young people to be active on a Saturday morning - in a friendly, enjoyable, team-based sport.
The Club were delighted to display a Harpenden Trust banner at an end of season celebration at Katherine Warington School.
13 June 2024
