Stafford Council to host reception for voluntary sports groups
Past and present members of a voluntary group supporting sport in Stafford Borough are being invited to an event to celebrate their work.
Sport Stafford Borough has distributed grants to talented local sportsmen and women to help hone their skills for many years, as well as providing financial assistance for clubs and coaches, for several years.
It has also celebrated local sporting success through an awards scheme, which has seen Olympic canoeing champion Joe Clarke and Paralympic medallist Ian Marsden both crowned sports person of the year in previous years.
But in recent months the group has experienced some challenges, a Stafford Borough Council cabinet meeting heard earlier this month. And on March 31 its service agreement with the borough council will end.
From April sports grant funding in the borough will instead be administered by the Community Foundation. Members of Sport Stafford Borough will be able to join the new Sports Grants Panel and there will also be a sports and culture category added to the council’s annual Community Awards.
On March 24 a reception will be held at the mayor’s parlour for anyone who has been involved with Sport Stafford Borough over the years.
The reception begins at 7pm and anyone who would like to attend should contact Councillor Carolyn Trowbridge beforehand by emailing ctrowbridge@staffordbc.gov.uk.
Councillor Trowbridge also paid tribute to the work of Sport Stafford Borough at this month’s cabinet meeting.
She said: “I have to mention the work and commitment of Sport Stafford Borough, who have in the past been instrumental in giving advice to Olympic Gold Medal-winning canoeist Joe Clarke and Paralympian Ian Marsden at the early stages of their careers. (Members) put their heart and soul into this for many years, especially the excellent awards ceremonies.”
Fellow cabinet member Mike Smith added: ““It is a shame that many of the stalwarts have reached the age they have retired and it has been very difficult to get new people to come along.”
A report to the cabinet said: "This organisation has worked tirelessly over a number of years to provide grants to up and coming sports talent across the Borough. They have provided specialist advice and guidance in relation to sports and have ensured that local talent has been celebrated through events like the annual sports awards.
"Unfortunately, over the past 12 – 18 months, the organisation has experienced some difficult times which has affected their capacity to fulfil the requirements of the service level agreement that they have with the council. Although the organisation has had a change in membership within the organisation it has been very difficult for them to achieve what has been required of them."
