25 Apr 2017
I'm thrilled to have become a member of the team at Carlisle United Football Club Community Sports Trust. I'm looking forward to working with the current crew to spread the word far and wide about their community outreach programme. Just please don't ask me to put on my shorts and have a kick about...
Carlisle United's Sports Trust provides multi skill sports activities in community settings and schools in Carlisle and throughout Cumbria. I'm one of four new trustees that have been appointed to the managing board or Carlisle United's Community Sports Trust. Other members include Sue Kaveney, Managing Director of Kaveney HR Solutions, based in Carlisle, Phil King, Sales and Marketing Director at Carlisle United FC and Steve Smith recently retired after 40 years with Lloyds Banking Group.
We all bring a new set of skills and useful experience to the already accomplished team and we have already started working with the board to explore areas for development including activities in West Cumbria and the expansion of the girls' football programme.
I'm thrilled to join the board of the Community Sports Trust and look forward to utilising my marketing and communications experience to help spread the word about their fantastic outreach programme. I'm particularly interested in the effects of sport and culture within communities and how they can be used to help create aspiration, build confidence and reduce social isolation. The talent within the team is tremendous and I'm excited about helping them to achieve their targets.
CST's Chair Jim Mitchell said: We have been looking to broaden the experience and expertise within our Board of Trustees and I couldn't be more pleased with our revamped team. We know how our staff and the activities and services they provide are valued by the community and the addition of new trustees will hopefully provide the impetus to take the Trust to the next stage in its development.
Winner of the Social Enterprise and the Community Involvement categories at CNMedia's 2016 Business Awards, the CUFC Community Sports Trust is a registered charity which provides a wide range of outreach programmes for people of all ages and abilities.
Based at Brunton Park, our staff visit schools, colleges, universities and community organisations daily to deliver activities which, in many cases, would not otherwise be available to participants.
Headed up by a former player, John Halpin, we employ a team of 15 full and part time staff who reach up to 15,000 people with our community programmes each year.
Activities include seasonal soccer schools for 5 to 12 year olds and the Futsal Education Scholarship for 16 to 18 year olds, which makes them University ready through the delivery of a range of qualifications and certificates.
We also deliver a Foundation Degree in Community Football Coaching and Development, with the University of South Wales and the NCS programme which takes sixth form students on challenging activities to nurture leadership and team work.
The programme also caters for participants through a series of Mental Health and Walking Football projects delivered in association with Age UK and the Cumbria NHS Partnership. The activities have been commended by both Age UK and the NHS for their inclusive nature.
New projects for 2017 include the development and expansion of the Premier girls' football programme and additional delivery in West Cumbria.
We'll be holding our annual awards on May 2 so watch this space...
For more information on Carlisle United Sports Trust activities and programmes please contact [email protected]
Pictured Trustees - Sue Kaveney, Steve Smith, Phil King, Rachel Suddart and Jim Mitchell (Chair) with some of the CUST team.