National awarding body GQA Qualifications announced earlier in November that it had become the principal sponsor of the Barnsley Football Club Academy.
The agreement will see GQA’s logo emblazoned on the shirts of academy players and on signage around the academy’s facilities.
The deal has also opened the door for GQA, which works in 16 sectors of industry, to work with Barnsley’s young players to promote opportunities for work in the construction and fenestration industries.
GQA CEO, Mick Clayton, commented: “As an existing club partner, and on a personal level as a lifelong fan, it is evident that the club (Barnsley FC) is making great strides in their efforts to re-establish themselves at the heart of the community.
Becoming Academy sponsor is a fantastic opportunity to further our involvement, particularly as we at GQA are passionate about developing young people in all aspects of life. We firmly believe that this partnership can be a catalyst for a positive influence on football locally at a grass roots and junior level, something we are proud to champion and support, and also gives us the opportunity to showcase what the fenestration and wider construction sector can offer.”
Besides its new deal with the Academy set-up at Oakwell Stadium, GQA Qualifications also closely works with Barnsley Football Club’s Business in the Community initiative and supports grassroots football more broadly in the local area.
GQA’s wider work includes sponsoring the Pogmoor under-14s girls’ team, who featured as team mascots in Barnsley FC’s pre-season friendly clash with Nottingham Forest back in July this year. The match ended in a goalless draw.
