Hawks soaring as they hit another milestone
A huge junior football club in Halesowen has been hailed a ‘community success story’ after fielding its 40th team in its fourth decade.
Halas Hawks have set up a new under-8s girls’ side to supplement the 39 other teams of all ages that makes it one of the largest football clubs in the Birmingham County FA.
Founded in 1980 by boy scouts, Halas have continued to grow from just one team over the past 38 years and now field more than 400 players during weekend matches.
Their youngest footballers are just four years old and even though they are predominantly a club for juniors, their oldest players are over 35 and play in the Worcestershire Veterans League.
Club chairman Rob Hickman said: “It is fantastic to see the club grow in both size and stature over the last 38 years.
“This is down to dedication and a commitment to provide a happy, safe and effective learning environment for players of all ages and abilities.”
Halas juniors have a long-established girls’ section which has provided a route into senior women’s football for years.
But two years ago they also became officially partnered with Halesowen Town, who currently ply their trade in the Southern Central League, providing their boys with a pathway to non-league senior football too.
The Hawks are also aware of their role within the community and over the next five years, plan to build and develop more facilities for youngsters to play football.
In 2005, the club achieved FA Charter Standard status and in 2011 this was upgraded to Charter Standard Community Club status, the highest level awarded by the FA.
All 40 of their teams have a qualified coach and a qualified first aider, regardless of age. All volunteers have been safeguarded.
And there are some individual success stories within the team. Earlier this season, one of the club’s senior committee members, Pauline Hickman, won the Birmingham County FA ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award.
“Halas Hawks is a community success story,” said vice-chairman Ian Evans. “The continued growth has been achieved whilst maintaining high standards of football development for players of all backgrounds and ability.
“This is a testament to all the hard work of the committee, managers and all parents and supporters who volunteer their spare time for the good of the players.”
In two years’ time Halas Hawks will celebrating their 40th anniversary of providing football to the Halesowen community, and at the moment, they show no signs of letting up.
