The Dale in the Community Sports Trust has recently a funding award for its work carried out across Rochdale over the last three years.
A cheque for £27,000 was presented to the Trust by representatives from the StreetGames charity at the club’s last home game.
StreetGames was initially set up by organisers of neighbourhood sports projects in 2005. They came together to make sport more widely available for disadvantaged young people and to maximise the power of sport to enable them to change their lives and their communities.
In 2012, Sport England ring-fenced £20m for investment into Doorstep Sport Clubs, the largest ever for disadvantaged youth sport. The role of StreetGames was to lead the creation of 1000 new generation youth sports clubs, for young people aged 14-25.
Doorstep Sport Clubs are fun, informal sports clubs and the Dale Community Trust has been instrumental in providing worthwhile diversionary activities at two venues - the club’s 5-a-side complex and the Kingsway Park Sports Centre.
Rochdale AFC 5-a-side Complex
The Trust has worked in partnership with Redwood Secondary School through their Ability Counts squad which covers a large range of disabilities, offering a range of inclusive sporting activities to engage and challenge the youngster in a friendly environment. Their open age team trains every Monday and were recently crowned Greater Manchester Ability Counts League champions.
Kingsway Park Sports Centre
For young people in Belfield, Kirkholt, Newbold and Turf Hill, the Trust have partnered with Rochdale Youth Services to engage young people in the local community. Approximately 60 youngsters attend their Friday evening sessions every week.
Trust Manager Keith Hicks commented: “I would like to thank StreetGames for the funding contribution.
“Both clubs have been a huge success with very few youngsters dropping out after starting the programmes, proving that these are worthwhile activities.
“It’s a pleasure to be involved in delivering the sessions.”