Rotherham United

Rotherham United Community Sports Trust, the community development programme which uses sport to encourage a better standard of living for local people, is celebrating after being named a winner of the Enterprising Communities Awards, securing £25,000 as a result.

As an organisation that has benefitted from the Enterprising Communities Programme, which is delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and offers community businesses and social enterprises access to practical support and guidance, RUCST was eligible to submit an entry to the awards. 

Making it through to the shortlist of seven organisations, the team were asked to present to an independent panel of judges, where they took the opportunity to provide an insight into the extended programme of activity they could offer if they were to win the award.

Head of Community at RUCST, Jamie Noble comments: “There are few times that we are speechless but this is probably one of them! I would like to thank everyone for their efforts and the continued contribution they make. The difference we make is really important to the local community and not just those who engage directly with us but also those who have a better quality of life as a result of the activities we provide.

He adds: “Knowing that the local community is a better place thanks to RUCST makes it all worthwhile. Without organisations like the Coalfield Regeneration Trust it wouldn’t be possible. We cannot thank them enough.”

Head of Operations (England) for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Andy Lock said: “The panel were really impressed with the impact that RUCST has on the wider community and how the activities they deliver have a real and lasting impression that go beyond the benefits of sports.

He adds: “RUCST will now become a Champion organisation of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust; those that we have strong and progressive relationships with and that we use as examples of best practice to other community and social organisations in the coalfields.”

The Enterprising Communities Programme, delivered by Coalfields Regeneration Trust, aims to stimulate community enterprise and grow the social investment in former mining communities.

The programme objectives are to support community organisations to become more enterprising, help them develop new opportunities to safeguard and grow their activities and secure the resources necessary to realise their ambitions.

For more information about the Enterprise Communities Programme visit http://www.coalfields-regen.org.uk/what-we-do/social-investment/coalfields-social-investment-programme-england/