Since the lockdown the Development Fund have been busy sorting out old programmes from the programme shop and putting them up for sale on eBay with great success. To date we have raised £3.5k from sales for the Development Fund.
More recently Avenue fan Kevin Haley on hearing of this initiative donated several hundred programmes (but not his Avenue collection) which have helped with the above figure, if any other fans are thinking of having a clear out Dave Stordy will gladly take them off your hands, he can be contacted by phone 01274-512989 or email davestordy@hotmail.co.uk.
The club have been able to take a major step forward with their players thanks to the generous donation from the Development Fund Committee. The state of the art Playertek GPS tracking system supplied by market leader Catapult will see the 1st team and the academy using the system next season. This will be the first time that the club will have used and owned their own GPS system.
The Playertek system will allow the managers, coaches and physio teams at the club to measure and monitor player performance in games and also in practice during the week. Working closely with Catapult it will enable us to personalise training plans to optimise match performance and keep fatigue injuries to a minimum. This could prove crucial come the run in to the season and over the busy Christmas schedules. Whilst it remains to be seen if that is relevant this year the equipment has a life span of four years+
From Left to Right – Pete Sowden, Lewis Knight, Danny Boshell, Issac Marriott, Dave Stordy
Dave Stordy – Development Fund
‘The Development Fund are delighted to assist with the purchase of the Playertek GPS tracking system, this will not only help with player performances next season but for several seasons which will hopefully help the club unearth some youth players both from signings and our own academy. Watch out for further investments from the Development Fund as we aim to support, with your help, the club in these difficult times’
Martin Knight – Director Of Football
‘After a few discussions with the committee about the future of the club and how the development fund can support these aims, I was delighted when they agreed and approved my request for them to fund completely our purchase of the Catapult Playertek system. It is a major step forward for us on the playing side, bringing us up to EFL technological standards and, we hope, in the long term development the club. It will help us on the field in match day performances and off the field in player recruitment, development and re-sale. We look forward to working with the development fund on other long term capital investments for the club and I would like to take this opportunity to say many heartfelt thanks to them for this major investment’
Tally Clayton – Head Physio
‘It is a fantastic opportunity for the club to be able to take full advantage of the Playertek equipment. Playertek provides us with data on player loading. Load is a key measure in training and performance as well as being able to help in the prevention of injury. Overall the data can assist us at Park Avenue to keep players fitter and optimise performance come match day’
#UTA
If you want to help support the fund raising efforts of The Development Fund, why not get involved in our player sponsorship scheme. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away. Any player already signed for the club for next season can be sponsored by clicking here and filling out the player sponsorship form.
Following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic the Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund have all agreed to postpone the upcoming sportsman’s dinner.
The dinner which was originally to be held Friday 27th March will now go ahead Friday 9th October. The decision to postponed the event hasn’t been taken lightly but public health and safety has to come first.
Anyone who has purchased a ticket can use this at the rearranged event. Alternatively if you would like a refund please contact Dave Stordy on 01274 512989 or davestordy@hotmail.co.uk
The Bradford (Park Avenue) Development fund are please to announce full details for the upcoming sportsman evening on Friday 27th March.
The event will be headlined by Cricket legend Geoff Miller OBE and promises to be a fantastic evening raising vital funds for the club.
Geoff Miller OBE is quite simply one of the most respected figures in English cricket. After an accomplished playing career with his native Derbyshire, Essex and, of course, at Test level with England, playing in 34 Tests and 25 ODIs, he became the first man to be appointed to the chief position of National Selector in 2008.
Over the following five years, Geoff’s wise selection policy and choices led England on an incredible run of three successive Ashes victories and to the pinnacle of the world Test rankings before he finally retired in late 2013. He has been President of Derbyshire County Cricket Club since 2014 and now devotes considerable time to both motivational and after dinner speaking. His lifelong experience of cricket, both on the field and behind the scenes, makes him one of the most knowledgeable characters in the game, with more than a few tales to tell.
Geoff will be supported by comedian Barry York and we hope to have a number of ex Avenue players present on the evening. The 3-course meal is Tomato & basil soup, chicken (halal available) with bacon wrap with mash potatoes and seasonal veg followed by apple pie/custard, a vegetarian option is available. We will also have stand up bingo, raffle and auction to support the evening.
Tickets are £37.50 per person, £350 for a table of 10 or £400 for a table of 12.
The club have secured overnight B & B accommodation at the Midland at a reduced rate of £50 for a single room or £60 for a twin/double for those that wish to stop over.
For further details or to purchase a ticket please see the Supporters Information Desk in the Clubhouse on match day. Alternatively contact Dave Stordy on 01274 512989 or davestordy@hotmail.co.uk
