The Hive to host Rochdale AFC women’s section

We are excited to confirm that the club’s recently-launched community facility at Balderstone Park will host teams from Rochdale AFC Ladies throughout the 2024/25 season.

The Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation and Rochdale AFC Community Trust have agreed a deal which will see the following teams play at ‘The Hive’ @ Million Pavilion:

• U13s
• U14s
• U16s
• U18s Blues
• U18s Blacks

Rochdale AFC's ladies teams will compete in the Greater Manchester Women's North and South Leagues, with their respective seasons commencing this weekend.

The news marks another important step in the ever-developing relationship between Rochdale Hornets and the town’s football club.

The official opening of our new community facility took place at the end of July and was well attended by various stakeholders from across the local community. 

The Balderstone Park site now hosts two purpose-built RFL specification grass pitches, newly-refurbished changing rooms and a pavilion, and we are excited to be supporting the Rochdale AFC women’s pathway by hosting their age group teams this season. 

Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation chairman Mark Wynn said: “As a community foundation, we are going through an exciting new era of change. 

“Following the opening of our new community facility in July, we are excited to now host Rochdale AFC Women’s junior & youth section at ‘The Hive’. 

“This further enhances the already-strong connection that both of the town’s two professional sides have, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first set of fixtures this weekend.”

Rochdale AFC Ladies’ Emma Thetford said: “Finding pitch space in the borough is a constant battle for many grassroots teams and we are no different.

“It's no secret that we are looking to develop a Community Football Hub within the borough to service all of the teams that play for Rochdale AFC every week, but until then we have to split ourselves across a myriad of venues.

“It's great that ‘The Hive’ can be made available to Rochdale AFC ladies for 2/3 games a weekend, as it will allow us to play teams side by side and boost the social benefits that playing football in a team brings for parents and families.

“We look forward to working alongside Rochdale Hornets over the next season as we both look to grow participation in sport in the borough.”