Last night, the 4th November 2014, saw some of the county’s finest sporting clubs and volunteers coming together to be honoured at the Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Sports Awards. Held at Staffordshire County Council, the event recognised the achievements and commitment of local people in developing local community sport. Awards were up for grabs in five categories and proved a challenging task for the judging panel in selecting county winners. GB Cycling Performance Academy member, Emily Nelson, from Lichfield was also present to inspire the audience with her sporting journey to date and her aspirations after already grabbing a world record junior title. After a tense lead up to the awards, we were very pleased to win Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Community Project of the Year 2014. Carl Bennett, pictured, of Stoke-on-Trent City Council Public Health, presented Round House with the award.

The Round House Boxing Satellite Club was created to reduce the tensions that were highlighted following the recent merger of two schools in Stoke-on-Trent and to improve community cohesion in the area. The project brings young people from all communities together in a fun boxing environment, helping to instil discipline and teach respect whilst learning about each other and making new friends. The boxing sessions are open to the wider community helping to bring together diverse sections of the community in a positive and productive  environment. The project has successfully contributed to the work of Engage Communities in helping to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Director, Mark Thornewill comments, “It was a fantastic night at the Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Community Sports Awards, and a privilege to be able to recognise and celebrate the great work and commitment of the coaches, clubs and volunteers involved in organising sport across our area. All of the nominees are truly community sport champions”.

We will go now on to represent Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent at the West Midlands Community Sports Awards. This event is organised by the six County Sports Partnerships in the West Midlands in partnership with the BBC to celebrate the work of high performing individuals, dedicated volunteers and clubs, and their quality, commitment and dedication to grassroots sport in the region.  This year’s Awards Dinner takes place at Aston Villa Football Club on Thursday 27th November and will be hosted by BBC Midlands Today presenters Nick Owen and Mary Rhodes. Seven awards will be presented during the evening, which will be attended by some of the West Midlands Commonwealth Games medallists and Winter Olympians.

Courtesy of Sport Across Staffordshire