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How it all started
Members of the Polegate community founded Polegate Grasshoppers Junior Football Club in 1984. What started
out as a small village youth team has now developed into one of the largest and most successful junior football clubs in the
area with over 300 members.
Our first girls team was formed in the season 1999/2000 and was formed as an Under 13s team. Polegate Grasshoppers
has also been one of the first teams locally that has created a girls team that has successfully stayed together and has then,
en masse, moved on to become Eastbourne Town Ladies, showing the commitment by the club to encourage girls at all levels.
Charter Club Development Award
In 2002 the club became the very first club locally to achieve the FA Charter Development Award and is currently
one of only 12 clubs to have achieved the award in Sussex. This was a great achievement considering that the award is for
senior clubs as well as youth football clubs like ours.
Two years later in 2004 saw the club achieve the high honour of Charter Development Club for Sussex. Also,
Polegate Grasshoppers coach Keith Elridge was awarded the Charter Standard Coach Award for Sussex, a double for the Club and
a reward for all the hard work that is put in at Polegate by all the supporting members. Keith is now the FA Charter Coach
for Sussex and the South East of England. In 2005 Steve Griffiths also became a Charter Standard Coach for the South
East.
Over the past years we have created many links with local primary and secondary schools and other sports
clubs, including cricket and stoolball in the surrounding area, at all levels, and continue to strive to build a better club
for all our members.
Local Support
The club currently caters for both boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 16.
The club colours have always been green and white, a reflection of the 'Grasshoppers' within the club name.
We currently run 11 boys teams and 3 girls teams. Qualified coaches train all of these teams. A Management Committee that
is elected at each Annual General Meeting runs the club. This Management Committee usually comprises the parents of the players.
The Club is fortunate to be supported by many local businesses that kindly sponsor team playing kits and
who get involved in the clubs annual six-a-side tournament.
Our Philosophy
The club is well known for its friendly and sporting behaviour. We believe in putting sportsmanship at the
forefront of our philosophy and hope that this will be reflected in later life by our current members.
Over the years, the local Councils of Polegate, Willingdon and Jevington have all provided great support
to Polegate Grasshoppers both financially and morally. This support is both welcomed and appreciated.
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