The partnership between Kent FA and Kent Reliance has grown over the last four years beginning with sponsorship of the Senior Cup and Grassroots Cups, to covering all 23 Kent County Cups last season. The partnership has now been enhanced to cover 24 County Cups this season and the Kent Girls and Disability Player Development Centres resulting in Kent Reliance being named Kent FA’s first official ‘Community Partner’.

Kent Reliance and Kent FA have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship over a number of years and share a passion for supporting their local community.  Kent Reliance has been serving the Kent community since 1847 and Kent FA has been developing the grassroots football community since 1881.

Paul Dolan, Kent FA’s Chief Executive is delighted to have the continued support from Kent Reliance: “Throughout our relationship with Kent Reliance, they have shown how committed they are to the grassroots football community in Kent, and it seemed like a natural fit for them to continue as our first ‘Community Partner’. The Girls and Disability Player Development Centres provide elite training and offer unique opportunities to talented youngsters. Our Cup Competitions have over 1,000 community-based teams of all standards and ages playing from across the county. The continued support from Kent Reliance ensures that we lead the way in creating competitions and opportunities within grassroots football that uphold the highest standards.”

This partnership sees the continuation of the highly successful #MagicOfTheCup competition which equipped 10 winning teams with football equipment last season and saw the overall winner, Ramsgate FC from the Bostik Isthmian South League, being presented with 16 tickets to an England match at Wembley.

Kent FA is also pleased to announce the launch of a new Kent Reliance Community Cup this season which we launched at the weekend with a match between a Kent FA and Kent Reliance XI against a Demelza Hospice for Children XI.

The Kent Reliance Girls and Disability Player Development Centres will provide excellent coaching to improve the standards of girls and disability grassroots football in Kent. The support from Kent Reliance will enable the transition of young players to elite football as well as providing a community exit route for players leaving the elite talent pathway.

Robert Gurr, PR & Events Manager - Kent Reliance, explains why becoming the Kent FA’s ‘Community Partner’ is so important to the company: “The County Cup competitions play an integral part in the landscape of Kent football. By working with the Kent FA to support the 24 County Cup competitions we are looking forward to promoting Kent Football within the local community. Grassroots football provides so many opportunities and we are excited to further support the Girls and Disability Player Development Centres and assist with the nurturing of football talent in Kent. It’s a very exciting time to be involved in Kent football, and we look forward to celebrating the success of Kent’s football teams and players over the coming season. I was delighted that we were able to have launched this great partnership with a successful Community Day and charity match this season, putting Kent Reliance at the heart of the community in Kent.”