We welcomed more new Junior Valiants to our League One clash with Wycombe Wanderers earlier this month, thanks to a donation from Super Vale Abroad.
Children from St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy and St Peter's Academy were given Junior Valiants memberships thanks to the donations from Super Vale Abroad.
Super Vale Abroad (SVA) was set up in 2018 by a group of exile Vale supporters from around the globe in order to raise funds to sponsor local families to attend Vale home games. The families that are invited are selected by the Port Vale Foundation, who also act as their hosts on matchday. SVA has expanded since it began to over 100 members, which include former Vale players Robbie Earle and Danny Sonner who both live and work in the USA.
Following recent discussions with the Port Vale Foundation, the initiative has been extended to include the sponsorship of Matchday Mascots and also provide Matchday Experience packages for groups of up to 20 children at a time.
The children chosen as mascots are invited to meet the Vale players and escort them onto the pitch before kick-off and the Matchday Experience package includes a behind the scenes tour, activities and food before watching the game.
The majority of the youngsters chosen by the Foundation have never been to a League game before.
Patrick Scragg who lives in the Central Coast Australia, is the leader of the group and originator of the Super Vale Abroad concept.
“Super Vale Abroad (SVA) in partnership with the Port Vale Foundation are delighted to announce another successful event, helping to generate more Vale fans of the future,” Patrick said. “Sixteen children from a local school were selected to attend a special matchday experience at the Wycombe Wanderers home game on Saturday 4th February, using donations provided by fans from across world as part of the SVA Initiative for 2022/23.
“This included a guided tour of Vale Park, a home shirt for each child, a JV+ membership (including season ticket) and of course a matchday ticket each. Despite a difficult day on the pitch, the feedback from all children who attended on the day was very positive and hopefully the day has generated more Vale ‘Fans of the Future’.
“Super Vale Abroad would also like to acknowledge and thank the Port Vale Foundation for providing a hospitality package as part of the fundraising mission for the SVA Initiative.
“Congratulations to David Picken, who was the lucky winner of this prize and has decided to give his prize to local based supporters April and David Hall, given he is based Down Under in sunny Sydney, Australia.
“We look forward to providing further funding in future as part of our ongoing partnership to continue providing to the local community and most importantly, getting as many junior Valiants supporting the team as possible.”
Craig Sigley, who is Head of PE at Newman Catholic Collegiate, where pupils have also benefitted from an SVA donation, added:
“We’re thrilled with donation from SVA. Thanks to the donation, some families can now attend football games who wouldn’t have been able to afford it previously.
“The children were made up with their shirts and the fuss that was made of them! They haven’t stopped talking about it since and it’s because of the generosity of some people they’ve never met!
“Also, a huge thanks for Nicola and the team from Port Vale Foundation for making this happen.”