Welcome to the Community Sport and Recreation Awards 2024: Community Club of the Year, sponsored by IWG on Women & Sport
Community clubs are the heartbeat of sport and recreation in this country, and the Community Club of the Year Award celebrates those organisations, clubs and programmes that have directly improved the local community throughout the last 12 months.
Find out more about each of this year’s finalists below:
Fulham Reach Boat Club’s commitment to the vision of ‘Rowing for All’ has resulted in transformative change for underserved groups over the past year.
The club has run a number of programmes benefiting people from a wide range of backgrounds: 866 children were reached through the State School Rowing Initiative; the Free Water Sports Weeks during school holidays expanded by 37%, reaching children from deprived areas; and the Boats Not Bars initiative has improved the physical and psychological wellbeing of participants, also winning the Innovation Award at the Sports Business Awards.
This is just a snapshot of the work the club has done and continues to do, with countless testimonials and survey results attesting to the positive impact Fulham Reach Boat Club has had on the lives of individuals in the community.
Help for Heroes Wheelchair Rugby
Leaving the armed forces can be a challenging time for many veterans, and getting the right support during the transition is vital. Sport can play a huge role in this transition.
Due to high demand, the club started in 2022, and has so far directly impacted 30 veterans, as well as hosting training camps, taster sessions, friendly tournaments, and has entered the Great British Wheelchair Rugby 5s league. Members of the club are also taking part in the Coaching Academy Programme, which supports veterans to get their coaching qualifications.
The club also helps to provide a support network to members, alongside a greater sense of purpose and plenty of opportunities outside the club for personal development.
Located in a deprived area of Birkenhead, Propulsion Trampoline Club has grown from one coach and one class in 2006, to a full-time club with a permanent home and eight coaches across six different classes.
The club provides affordable sessions for children from under-privileged backgrounds, offering weekly trampoline sessions for just 50p. There are also no monthly or termly commitments, meaning families only pay for what they can afford. Alongside the recreational and junior participants, there are elite-level national and international gymnasts training at the club, and they all train together, creating a unique environment; many of the senior gymnasts also help coach the juniors and act as role models.
Success is celebrated at all levels, but the primary focus of the club is building skills, passion and determination that serve participants well for the rest of their lives.
Make sure you’re following us on X @sportrectweets and Instagram @sportandrecalliance to stay up-to-date with the latest Alliance news!
