The JAMES project are delighted to announce that the National League Trust have approved a further year of funding for a part- time community sports coach. Over the last 3 years the James project , a charity based in Frizzinghall, Bradford successfully secured funding to deliver a range of community projects in South Braford and the wider community. The partnership has seen the delivery of a range of community projects, that includes, school breakfast & after school clubs, football tournaments, hostel football, holiday camps and outreach youth engagement programmes.

Mandy Lakes , Operations Manager said ‘We are extremely proud that our partnership with Bradford Park Avenue Community Football club has been a tremendous success and to secure further funding will see more projects to be delivered which will make a difference to many residents and young people.’

Jayne Spencer , Community & Operations Manager said ‘ We are absolutely thrilled that the National League Trust recognises the difference the club are making within our community. This funding will allow us to recruit a new member of the team and continue to work in partnership with JAMES.

Please see below further details on the Community Sports Coach vacancy:

Community Sports Coach – Job Advert

Community Sports Coach – Job Description

Community Sports Coach – Personal Specification

Community Sports Coach – Job Application Form

This is an informal notice to inform members that the Community Benefit Society will hold a Special General Meeting on Thursday 29th March 2018 at 18:30 in the Clubhouse.

Formal notice was sent to all CBS members Monday 12th March 2018 by either post or email. Apologies and proxy votes can be sent to bpafc@outlook.com

This meeting follows on from the AGM in February and recent announcement that it is proposed the Community Benefits Society is to transfer the club back into the sole ownership of Gareth Roberts under a newly created private limited company.

Below is the official announcement issued by the club following the AGM:

At the AGM of Bradford Park Avenue Community Benefit Society on Thursday 15th February 2018, it was announced that the directors are proposing a change in the ownership structure of the club.

The club’s first team currently plays in National League North, just two divisions below the Football League. The cost of surviving at this level has escalated to a level which the club cannot afford beyond the short term, under its current ownership structure. Operational costs are eating up capital which had been earmarked for off-the-field development, and new investment is needed.

Two years ago the club became a Community Benefit Society (a “CBS”), intending that its ownership should be spread amongst the local and regional community. However, very few new members have joined. As a CBS the club is entitled to issue Community Shares to potential investors, but the law provides for a maximum of £100,000 in community shares for any individual, which is not enough to make a crucial difference. In addition the CBS is heavily indebted to its current benefactor, and as an investment opportunity the club in its current form is unattractive.

The directors have decided to face reality, and they propose to change the structure of the club so that it becomes a privately owned enterprise, from which investors can potentially earn dividends or at least look to recover their investment at some point in time.

Any change in structure is subject to the approval of the current members of the CBS, the FA and also to the approval of the Financial Conduct Authority, whose advice has already been sought. A further meeting of members will be held in the near future at which specific proposals will be put forward.

The proposed change indicates the determination of the directors to find new sources of investment so as to maintain the club at its present level and possibly above.

The Board

Huddersfield YMCA Vs BPA 7.45pm KO

BT Sport has renewed its exclusive rights to broadcast the Vanarama National League for a further three years, until 2021.

BT Sport has been broadcasting live and exclusive coverage of English football’s fifth tier since its launch in August 2013. The new deal will see typically one match broadcast live each match-week, normally in a regular Saturday slot. Each season, BT Sport’s coverage will follow the championship race and the exciting end-of-season playoffs at Wembley through which one team gains a second promotion place into the English Football League.

Additionally, the deal sees the continuation of an innovative tie-up between league and broadcast partner — first launched in 2016 — through which media students from around the country receive broadcast production training from BT and go on to help create BT Sport’s weekly Sunday night National League highlights show.

BT Sport’s live Vanarama National League match coverage is led by presenters Matt Smith and James Richardson with commentators Adam Summerton and Adam Virgo. Joining them are regular pundits Dean Saunders, who has managed several National League clubs following a playing career with Liverpool and Wales, and Chris Hargreaves, who has managed National League side Torquay United.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “BT Sport is proud to continue our support for the pinnacle of English football’s non-league game. We look forward to bringing our viewers the many storylines that enrich this league’s narrative and which features some of English football’s most well-known clubs. Additionally over the past few years our student initiative has underlined our commitment to non-League football.”

Brian Barwick, Chairman of The National League, said: “After fully testing the market place, we are pleased to renew our partnership with BT Sport for a further three years. BT Sport has produced excellent coverage of the Vanarama National League, and this new deal will extend BT Sport’s investment in our increasingly watched and highly respected competition.”