LOCAL McDonald's franchisee Alison Badham - who is retiring next month - surprised Malpas Youth girl's football team at a recent training session with a range of new equipment.

The treat marks Badham's support for Malpas United over the last three years and the joint creation of a Malpas youth girl's football team as part of the McDonald's Community Football Programme.

The McDonald's restaurant on Lyne Road, Newport, first began supporting Malpas United in 2010 after an article in the South Wales Argus reported the team's equipment had been stolen, leaving the newly formed club with no means to train.

With Badham's support the club was provided with a new kit, equipment and a new container for storage. This has led to further involvement including presentation evenings and McDonald's progression to become a main sponsor of the club.

Recently the club decided to form a girl's football team.

Through her passion for sport - having played netball, hockey, squash, athletics and five-a-side football herself as a child - Badham was keen to help the girls get the best start possible and support their sporting achievements.

She said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting Malpas football team over the years, they are a team full of very talented players and I was thrilled to be able to lend my support to help them reach their full potential.

"Setting up a girl's team was a great addition to the community and having once been a keen sports player myself it has been a pleasure to watch them grow.

"I may be retiring but I plan to continue watching the team advance and I hope the team go on to much success and enjoy their new equipment along the way. The kit is a fine reward for the enthusiasm and quality they show every week. "

Jamie Hart, coach at Malpas United added: "The kids are so excited to receive new equipment to try out. Alison and her restaurant's continued support has helped create a genuine sense of unity and team spirit. Hopefully this will help them kick on and have a great season."

To help raise the standards of grassroots football, the McDonald's Community Football Programme encourages more people to get involved in the game either as players, supporters or coaches, with kit and equipment donations.