Proud to support community sports

We are proud to sponsor the football team local to our Calderdale Business Park in Halifax, which is fast becoming an integral part of the community.

Ovenden Phoenix FC is about to begin only its second season in the Halifax Sunday League. The team was originally set up with teenagers and young men who were involved with anti-social behaviour with in the North Halifax area, but are now making a positive changes to their lives, in this case through football.  Currently there are 23 team members, aged between 16 and 33, signed up for the 2015/2016 season

“The team name is all about having a fresh start, and rising from the ashes,” Club Chair Karen Scanlon says.

“It’s given the lads the self-belief that they can really achieve things if they try. They’ve been learning so much over the last two years, by taking up opportunities to mix with professionals at Huddersfield FC and attend West Yorkshire Fire Fighters Charity events alongside members of the fire service.  It’s brilliant and refreshing to see the lads settling down, getting jobs, apprenticeships or starting training courses and improving their outlook for the better.”

Boost for the area

Karen’s husband Ade Scanlon volunteers as manager of the team. Ovenden Phoenix has the support of West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who have helped the team create its own fundraising events, such as car washes and penalty shoot outs.

Karen continues: “This will be the team’s second season in the Halifax Sunday League and we are delighted that such a well known firm such as Bizspace has stepped in to sponsor our new away kit and training jackets.

“We’re lucky to have had such fantastic support from local businesses and organisations.”

Ovenden Phoenix are hoping to improve on their first 2014/2015 season in the Halifax Sunday League, during which they were delighted to win the Sportsmanship of the year Award. They were also winners of the 2015 North Halifax Neighbourhood Awards for Young People.

Supporting the community

Tom Harrowell, Business Centre Manager at our Calderdale Business Park, first became aware of the team because several of the players attend the North Halifax Construction Skills centre, which is a customer at the site.

“I was really impressed with the story behind the team and how it’s genuinely making a positive impact in the Ovenden area,” Tom says.

“Many of our customers at the business centre live very locally, so it makes sense to support a worthwhile cause that’s so close to home.  We will be following the team’s progress throughout the season and wish them the best.”

Our Sales and Marketing Director, Emma Long, adds: “Our business centres are a real part of the community and our Halifax site in particular is home to a large number of companies, charities and organisations which employ people who live in the immediate area.  We are really honoured to be supporting Ovenden Phoenix FC and we are sure that the lads will continue to do Ovenden proud.”

Calderdale Business Park is in a fantastic location for any companies doing business in the Halifax area, and because it is located just out of town, we are able to offer spacious and free of charge on-site car parking facilities. The business centre provides a range of offices, studios and industrial units. 

For more information contact Tom on 01422 330 433.