Global Player Takes to the Field Ahead of 2012

June 2008 - four years ahead of the 2012 European Championship, few blue-chip companies can say that, among their foreign exports, they have a football-academy that supports nine youth and feeder teams that feed into a national football league.

Supporting the Anglo-Polish connection, Amica, which provides a comprehensive range of free-standing and built in kitchen appliances across 40 countries worldwide, is one industry leader that has gone the extra mile by sponsoring a fixture between two youth teams from the UK and Poland respectively.

Old Town United Under 16's line up at the Amica 5,000 seat sports club stadium to play Amica Wronki Juniors in Poland.

Last month (29th - 31st May), Old Town United of Swindon (UK) became the beneficiary of the Amica's social responsibility after the Wiltshire club was given the opportunity to travel to Poland to play Amica Wronki Juniors in the 5,000-seater Amica Sports Club stadium.   This was followed by some sightseeing and taking in a pro-fixture between KKS Lech Poznan and MKS Odra.

Chris Webb, United's under-16 coach and general manager of Iceland Appliances - Amica's largest retail customer - was a pivotal figure in helping 13 players, five senior club members, one FA football development officer (Wilshire County FA) and parents alike travel to Poland and stay in Amica's Olympic Hotel in Wronki.

'Although we would have preferred to be on the right end of a 3-0 result, playing against Amica Wronki in a venue that previously played host to a friendly match between Poland v Estonia was quite something," said Webb.   "Without the support from Amica, it's possible that none of the boys would otherwise have had the opportunity of playing in a national stadium.   We're very grateful,' he added.

Simon Freear, country manager for Amica explains 'It was great to take the team over to Poland as part of the UK's cultural links with Poland and it's also important to the company and Sports Club from a social and local community perspective.'

Web: http://www.amica-international.co.uk