We’re delighted to announce that the following organisations and people have received grassroots funding to support kit and equipment for their members in 2022:
These local organisations are crucial to providing alternative activities in supporting children and adults in sport and recreation, and in some instances, support work around the safety of vulnerable people. We are keen to support more in 2023.
To apply for funding, please download our form here.
Trustees Albert Jones and Graham Plant present cheque to Retro Skating Academy
Retro Skating Academy is our latest applicant to receive funding for their new venue. Retro Skating Academy will soon provide top GB training with more British Artistic Roller Skating Champions than anywhere else in the country. Their club is also a safe, secure place in the heart of the community for all, and has many skaters who are registered disabled who thrive in an inclusive, encouraging team environment.
GY Sporting Academy CIC, who manages the Academy has used a grant from Sport England towards the total project cost for the conversion and operation of a building. A building has been converted with ample parking for locals and visitors, which can grow the base of skaters to enable them to become a viable not for profit business able to sustain themselves into the future.
Commenting on the funding, Graham Plant, Chairman of Great Yarmouth Sport & Leisure Trust, said "Our purpose is to encourage positive activity in the borough, and for us, Retro Skating Academy has the potential to be a UK leading operation that benefits the community on many levels. We can also see greater benefits for the area and cultural benefits for young and older visitors who would attend galas all year round.”
Emma Parrott, Chairperson, Retro Skating Academy, explained, "Great Yarmouth has some challenging health demographics and we are championing the importance of physical activity for a healthy lifestyle. The SEND community is keen to set up an additional needs Roller Skating club, and we currently have many SEND members who thrive on routine and repetitive training. The events will be the most significant revenue for the Academy, and with GB Skate Artistic already committing to several events per year plus GB squad training, it's a positive and reassuring start for the Academy."
We’re delighted to announce that the following organisations and people have received grassroots funding to support kit and equipment for their members in 2021:
Great Yarmouth Martial Arts
Martham Cricket Club
Sweeney Sports Club
Engage Sports Coaching
Yarmouth United Football Club
Great Yarmouth Children's Theatre
Dragon's Stage and Theatre School
Caister United Football Club
PT Pete
Isabella's Dance and Musical Theatre Company
Broadway Bella's
DPA Dance Academy
Hopton Harriers and
Martham Football Club.
These local organisations are crucial to providing alternative activities in supporting children and adults in sport and recreation, and in some instances, support work around the safety of vulnerable people.
The borough has shown incredible resilience in the past 18 months. We are indebted to the volunteers for their commitment and enthusiasm to pick up and bring the community together and are keen to support more in 2022.
To apply for funding, please download our form here.
Broadland Bella’s performing
We’re delighted to announce we’ve supported Broadway Bella’s, a new theatre school based around singing and dance. In their first week, they attracted over thirty members and a waiting list almost immediately. The group rehearses at Gorleston Pavilion and Scratby Parish Hall.
Broadland Bella’s Founders
The grant will go towards new uniforms and new equipment. Hardware is needed to support the running of classes, and music to be able to provide a smoother and more professional experience to the students. This will also encourage more people to sign up to Broadway Bella’s, as well bring more recognition for the SEN class.
Gabriella Harvey-Mobbs, Co-Founder said: "We’ve been so overwhelmed with the response to Broadway Bella’s, and this funding is going to help us to teach these children to the best of our ability. We’ve funded this company between us from day one. This additional funding from the Trust will allow us to get proper technology such as speakers to allow these children and their parents to have the best experience possible. We already support some children with learning difficulties and this money will make it so much easier for us to buy supplies to make their experience as positive as is possible. Thank you so much!"
You can follow their progress Facebook and Instagram, and we wish them all the best.
If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in February 2021.
It’s great to see the new dugouts at Martham village football club. Funding from the Trust went towards securing the playing ground and making security improvements, as the dug outs now have steel doors.
Football is important in the community as it brings people together in the community.
You can follow their progress on Twitter.
If you are part of a fantastic team in our borough and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in February 2021.
DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS, WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS.
We are delighted to announce another round of funding awarded pre-lockdown for June 2020. The very talented and dedicated team at East Anglia Gymnastics.
Running since March 2019, they run gymnastics classes for all ages and abilities with a current, 230 members!
The funding provided has contributed towards Acropad air slopes. These help with forward and backwards walkovers, hand springs, flicks, ariels and other acro tricks.
Having this standard of kit helps us attract older children to stay in sport and keep active into adulthood. This will mean the gymnasts can achieve skills they haven’t previously been able to; and all of our club members love using it!
"Our vision is to help children build confidence and achieve things they once didn’t think was possible and with your help we will be one step closer to achieving their goals." ~ Benjamin Walker, Director.
You can follow the team on Facebook and Instagram and we are hoping to see some of those acro tricks in motion soon.
If you are part of an amazing team in our borough and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2020.
We are thrilled to announce a grant has been made to the Great Yarmouth Sea Cadets to purchase new football kits.
The Great Yarmouth Sea Cadets are hoping to encourage more cadets to participate in football competitions by providing an official football kit. The Sea Cadets are a youth charity focused on maritime fun and adventure for young people aged 10-17, based on the traditions and regulations of the Royal Navy.
With 26 cadets, the grant will go towards paying for a brand-new football kit for both districts and are football competitions. They have never had an official kit meaning previous competitions have been played in old unit t-shirts making them feel and look unprofessional and out of place. This funding will not only help to provide the kit but change mindsets allowing the cadets to look the part and feel part of a unified team.
“We participate in these competitions every year but have never been able to afford a new kit for the cadets that work so hard all year round. We hope the new kit will encourage more cadets to participate who wouldn’t normally” Lydia Chilvers, Officer in Charge.
If you are part of an amazing sports or community team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in May 2020.
We are pleased to announce that we have supported what we hope will be a fabulous venture: the Flegg High parkrun. To set up a parkrun requires funds, so whilst we have provided funding, we would love to help them reach their target with your support. Flegg High, as part of Ormiston Academy Trust, runs a project called #iwill. This is a scheme that looks to help students to contribute to their local community.
The school is looking to host a weekly 5k parkrun as a way of promoting health and wellness in and around Martham. The students and staff hope to inspire and encourage local people by providing a venue where anyone can participate; for their health, to socialise and volunteer and contribute.
With over 250 Facebook members who want to support Flegg High parkrun we know the school is the heart of the community and stands for all that GYSLT supports. We believe it has the potential to be a staple of Martham life; bringing a community together once a week and getting people fit, feeling good and forming friendships. So far, the team heading up the project are in good communication with parkrun and are working through the requirements including measuring the course and so far, meeting parkrun requirements. However they need further support to get the scheme over the starting line.
With a wonderful start up of £1,500 allocated from their own funding pot, funding from GYSLT, a large Facebook membership and volunteers ready to be involved, the next stage of funding will get the event up and running! If this is something you would like to support and/or be involved in, then please let us know and we will put you in touch.
Flegg High hopes to start a new parkrun in 2020
The Active Norfolk Awards is a night to celebrate and reward the physical activity achievements and sporting excellence of our county.
This year, we are thrilled to announce that this year we will be sponsoring the ‘Community Club of the Year’ category.
This category will celebrate and recognise a club that has increased participation in the activity, has made a big difference to a community, or made great progress during the year and we are honoured to be amongst some wonderful sponsors, including: UEA Sportspark, Easton & Otley College, BBC Radio Norfolk, City College
Now in its 13th year, the Active Norfolk Awards (formerly the Norfolk Sports Awards), will be a night to recognise and honour those people and organisations that are helping the people of Norfolk to achieve their best, improve their health and well-being through physical activity, and those who are achieving incredible things in sport.
The awards night will be hosted at OPEN Norwich on Thursday 21st November, and with over 400 expected nominations will be a night of diverse, inspirational and heart warming stories.
We want to make sure that as many of our wonderful community clubs have the opportunity to be nominated: please make sure you nominate by the 6th October 2019 HERE.
East Norfolk Sixth Form College is trying to grow the Basketball Club to provide additional sporting provision for students at the college. They currently have between 12-15 students who regularly take part in Basketball training sessions.
A new grant provided by the Trust is for new branded kit as the team are now playing in regular fixtures, but only have an old very limited basketball kit. The grant will also help to provide the team with new balls for matches and training sessions. This means the small team can grow this year as the new equipment and kit will help to recruit new players.
Max, one of the players said: “We are thrilled to receive a new kit and can’t wait for our fixtures to start!”
If you are part of an amazing sports team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in November 2019.
Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust are pleased to announce a grant has been made to Willow Tree Works in Belton to provide specific fitness equipment for brand new fitness sessions for people with additional needs.
In 2009 a forgotten, neglected piece of land was purchased and the volunteers at Willow Tree Works made what was a neglected area into a garden for people with additional needs. The area was dense with gorse, and all sorts of rubbish, but slowly they cleared it to produce a blank canvas.
The BBC called it ‘a little piece of paradise’ and urged the volunteers to look after this special place. And that is exactly what they have been doing ever since. Over the years it has been built from the ground up and now has classrooms, toilets, chickens and an outside area that is utilised as much as possible, from planting to dog agility workshops!
Willow Tree Works is a unique project, driven solely by the needs of those with disabilities and their carers in the Norfolk and Suffolk area. The project aims to deliver individually targeted skills-based learning that will promote employment potential, along with personal achievements and well-being. The ethos of the garden is summed up in their motto, 'growing stronger together'.
The learners have access to a developing selection of activities which gives them a sense of purpose, increasing their skills base, improving their day to day lives and allowing them to integrate not only with their peers but also working towards a healthier lifestyle. Fitness plays a large part in their ethos and activities and Willow Tree Works is setting up a new fitness class which is open to learners and the wider community. The funds from GYSLT will provide specific fitness equipment for these brand new fitness sessions.
With a high percentage of learners being considered overweight this is a fantastic opportunity for them to work on their fitness, skills and confidence especially with the equipment being provided: Reebok steps, weights and yoga mats.
There are a considerable number of children and adults in the Great Yarmouth area who have learning difficulties. Many have no access to a useful base to spend their days. The activities at Willow Tree Works deliver skills-based learning, and fitness is needed to tackle the projects. Getting fitter with the new equipment which the Trust are helping to fund will help the learners develop their skills and confidence in other projects tackled at the Garden.
If you are part of an amazing project helping your community and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in November 2019.
Check out the latest fundraising project! The Gofundme page is here
Photograph by David Woodcock
It is so great to see the asymmetrical bars being used at East Norfolk Gymnastics Club!
We were thrilled to be able to push East Norfolk Gymnastics Club up to the funding amount they needed to buy the new bars. A community-based gymnastics club based at Ormiston Academy, both boys and girls are taught from the age of 5 up to 18 years old. They have 75 members and a waiting list of over 200!
We're over the moon that the East Norfolk Gymnastics Club members can now properly use the equipment they need. If you’re a club or an individual that needs new equipment, or a coach needing kit, or maybe a new club needs marketing costs supported, we're accepting applications now from projects and individuals in the borough of Great Yarmouth, please download your application form here!
Our Grants have been benefiting different groups and teams since April 2018. We have invested funds across 11 organisations to get new kit, buy equipment and much more.
One such beneficiary is Revolutionary Roots, a Youth and Community Group working on various projects across the borough of Great Yarmouth. The group applied to the Trust for funds towards sports equipment which will aid holistically against substance abuse, anti social behaviour and criminal activity.
As well as working with mainstream young people the charity also helps other members of the community by:
Working with young people to get involved in sport and physical activity
Lessen boredom and anti social behaviour, instead empowering towards personal development
The charities ethos is about running cost effective sessions across the borough, and the funding has enabled them to offer sessions out to other groups to utilise their equipment with the instructor also. For example, Claydon Pavilion, Wicked Wednesdays Junior Youth Club were able to utilise these resources, paying only £20 for the instructor to cover the whole 2 hour session. Cobholm community day also made use of the resources and they are happy to disseminate the activities appropriately with the instructor across any appropriate community events/ groups.
The photos have all been taken during groups, with Circus skills instructor Simon Wiseman. Their junior instructor and volunteer, Dylan, aged 11, has completed all his Norfolk Youth Awards for volunteering this year, and was nominated for OPENS' Youth Award for volunteering 2019. Dylan attends a specialist school and this project has given him the chance to excel and be proud of his skills. He was described as demonstrating 'high levels of commitment to helping his community and making a difference' with his 'dedication and determination’. He has helped raise hundreds of pounds and is very hard-working, putting his all into everything Dylan does and always coming up with new ideas for fundraisers.
Heidi, who volunteers for the organisation, said "The funds have been utilised in a number of ways: First the funds were invested in circus skills equipment that can be used across all of our youth projects across the borough. This included Juggling balls, Spinning plates, Diablo's and Flower sticks. These can be used as both inside and outside activities depending on the limitations on indoor space. The second element of funding was to fund two sessions in the main town to offer something to inactive and hard to engage young adults after the main funding had run out. This has enabled us to run a further two sessions in central Great Yarmouth.”
We are accepting applications now from projects and individuals in the borough of Great Yarmouth, please download your application form here!
New Football kits for Southtown Primary School
We are pleased to share one of our latest grant recipients, Southtown primary school. A primary school with 220 pupils in need of funding for football kit.
They applied successfully for funding from Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust to go towards new football kit for children in all sizes and for all years.
By applying for funding, the school would be able to provide enough kit in various sizes to fit all year groups.
We know from many of our grant applications (and wider research) the importance of kit bringing a team together to create equality on the playing field. It negates the need for labels and unifies the team, hopefully bringing more fun, more drive and more community in their sports endeavours.
Importantly the kits would promote self-esteem, confidence and social skills. Not only this but in their application, they also noted the fundamental importance of the kit allowing the school and pupils to have more participation in competitions and inter-school events, opening the opportunity to all age ranges; meaning the fund will benefit other people in the community, as it gives all children a chance to play.
Nuno in Year 4 said: “We feel proud to represent our school in our new kits. We all looked smart and it made us play better!” and Oliver in Year 6 said “It makes a difference when we are all dressed the same and I really like having numbers on our backs like professional players.” GOOD LUCK SOUTHTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL FOOTBALLERS!
You can follow Southtown’s sporting endeavours via their website southtownprimaryschool.com and Twitter @southtownschool
IF YOUR CLUB OR GROUP IS IN THE BOROUGH OF GREAT YARMOUTH AND NEEDS SEED FUNDING, PLEASE ENQUIRE ABOUT FUNDING FOR KIT, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER COSTS, WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP.
Hopton CE Primary School PTA work hard throughout the year to raise vital funds for their school. The children were playing football matches in their PE kit, and it was felt that funding for proper kit would encourage those who don't participate in sport to do so outside of school hours. Some families can't commit to rigid training and games being held at the weekends. These children would have the opportunity of belonging to a school team, and the proper kits would help achieve this.
Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust approved the application, and the team are already playing in their new kit! Mr Petersen from the school said:
"The difference a football kit can make...
This year Hopton CE Primary Academy decided to enter the local Y6 football league to give our children more opportunities to work as a team and to compete against other local schools. We wanted to expand our sports provision and give children a chance to shine in an environment outside of the classroom.
Competing in our first game, we turned up in our PE kit, some of which was school branded, some of which was not. When seeing that our opponents all had a team kit, it was visibly clear that the children already felt defeated. Having a football kit with the school badge would give the children an identity and make them proud to represent our school. It will bring them closer together and level the playing field before the game.
Since having the football kits, the 'buzz' around football games is palpable with children so keen to know which number they are going to have and where they are going to play. The children look so smart, and it has made a difference in their confidence and sense of belonging." Mr Petersend, Year 6 Teacher, Hopton Primary School.
We are over the moon that the two leaders we funded for NORSUF Running Group have completed their training, and are just awaiting their licence from England Athletics before they set up groups in Caister, Bradwell and Gorleston!
Sam and Russell’s group sessions are for new members who want to walk, jog or run in a supportive group.
Sam started with NORSUF Running Group on Couch to 5k in January 2018 and she is now a competent leader: "The course was very informative and covered groups of all abilities. When I receive my licence I plan to run weekly free running group for beginners in my area. I think it’s important beginners are encouraged and supported. There are a large amount of sessions to cater for runners but very few for beginners".
Russell joined in July 2018 has achieved a large amount in a very short time: "I found the course enjoyable, all of the content and more we had covered in the extra 1-2-1 mentoring sessions. Therefore I was able to attend with a confident open mind. Now qualified I feel confident to lead my own local sessions and support you in the coaching group. I will get a great sense of achievement from encouraging beginners to run and improve their physical and mental health. My intended group sessions will be in the village of Caister-on-sea where I have already made preparations".
You can find out how to join by visiting the Run Together website.
Trevor Rawson, an inspirational local health coach heads up NORSUF Running Group, amongst many other groups and activities (you can contact him here), said, "NORSUF Running Group are very grateful to Great Yarmouth Sporting and Leisure Trust for funding two Run leaders for our free group. Sam and Russell with go on from their courses and be volunteer leaders in their communities. This will provide opportunities for walkers, joggers and runners to join a supportive Running Group that welcomes all abilities slow or quicker. I am very proud of what Sam and Russell have achieved in such a short space of time. Registration and participation in our group sessions and meet-ups are free. Many of our members have already gone on to enter local Races, Fun-runs and charity events together.”
Our group will be supporting England Athletics #RunAndRevise and #RunAndTalk campaigns this year.
Would your group or team benefit from funding? Visit here to see if you meet the criteria or please email us!
221 Air Training Corps in their new kit
221 Air Training Corps is a charity connected to the Royal Air Force. The squadron helps young people aged 12-21 to become better leaders, sportspeople and promote a spirit of adventure. The 29 members are mainly from the local area of Great Yarmouth.
"We had an old outdated batch of t-shirts to play sports in. With the funding from Great Yarmouth Sports and Leisure Trust we will buy new sportswear. This means we can encourage more members from the community to join, and it will increase team spirit and motivation," said Nasreen Arub, Chairperson.
“Now that we all look like a team, we can play like a team”
With new kit, the group will actively push more sporting activities weekly to encourage a healthier lifestyle and promote wellbeing.
Sports England recently reported that nearly 60% of children and young people are not leading active lives - we are keen to encourage any organisation who is working to reverse this figure in the borough of Great Yarmouth.
The corps meets at Cadet Building, Suffolk Road, Gorleston, and for more information, call 01493 655136. You can find them on Facebook here.
If your club or group is in the borough of Great Yarmouth, please enquire about funding for kit, equipment or other costs, we may be able to help.
The changing rooms at Winterton Playing Field are not fit for purpose and don’t meet current sports club standards. We’ve supported the Parish Council by providing a £500 grant to help kick start the Playing Field Development Project. The money is for architectural preliminary drawings and detailed plans for a new building which will be used as changing facilities, refreshments and storage.
The plans will help:
the village see what’s intended
assist in further fundraising activity
and will help get planning permission.
These new facilities will help the playing field get used a lot more. The Cricket Club there is already catering for adults and young people, with womens, girls, mens and boys teams. A Croquet Club is developing and regular events such as Dune Runners, walking groups and local schools use the field. We’re really happy to support Winterton - if you can help their fundraising efforts too, they would appreciate that!
We're so happy to see Revolutionary Roots putting their funds to use. They're testing their circus equipment 🎪which is some of kit bought with the grant.
The team hope it will have a positive effect on the wider community with less boredom and anti social behaviour, and instead empowerment towards personal development.
Have fun!
Do you know a community or sports project in need of funds? Please share this page with them, or tag them in below, thank you!
Follow Revolutionary Roots on Facebook
East Norfolk Gymnastics Group
NEW FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT!
We're thrilled to have been able to push East Norfolk Gymnastics Club up to the funding amount they needed to buy new equipment.
They're a community-based gymnastics club, teaching both boys and girls from the age of 5 up to 18 years old. They have 75 members and a waiting list of over 200 (that's how amazing they are!).
The funding we've contributed to will help buy a new set of asymmetrical bars. The current bars are over 20 years old and unable to be adjusted which they need to be able to do.
The new equipment will help the gymnasts to perform greater skills and linking moves between the bars with greater confidence, which will help them when they compete in competitions. It will help with confidence as currently the gymnasts are afraid to move from the low bar to the high bar in competitions as the width of competition bars is far greater than the current bars allow.
Don Cathy said, “As a small club, trying to raise over £2500 is a huge undertaking and without the help from the Trust this would not have been possible. The new asymmetrical bars will enable our members to learn new skills, which will enable them to enter more competitions, many thanks from all at the club.”
If your club or group is in the borough of Great Yarmouth, please enquire about funding for kit, equipment or other costs, we may be able to help.
Charity No. 1114561
