Councillors award over £6,000 to support sporting initiatives and activities across the county

Active in the Community CIC - fostering healthier lifestyles through regular physical activity.

Councillor Jeff Jones (Herts East) has awarded a grant of £830 to help promote physical activities such as Strength and Balance classes and Forever Cycling (virtual low intensity cycling sessions).

Strength and balance classes focus on improving the physical health of older people and the Forever Cycling sessions also offer this as well as improving attendees' mental and social health. The layout of the session allows attendees to have a cup of coffee or tea and develop meaningful conversations and relationships. This often creates a group of attendees who become one others' support system which inevitably decreases social isolation. Therefore, while improving these attendees' physical and social well-being it consequently improves their mental health as well.

Cllr Jeff Jones from Hertfordshire County Council said: “These strength and balance classes, together with Forever Cycling sessions will be a great benefit to the community. The classes help prevent falls and will improve attendees physical, mental health and social wellbeing.”

Roundwood Primary School – installation of Bike racks to encourage sustainable travel.

Councillor Paul De Kort (St. Albans) has awarded a grant of £785 to help with the installation of a bike rack for up to 9 bikes to be available for families and staff when travelling to and from school.

The school is encouraging more active travel via sustainable means. Having bike storage on site is important to achieving this and should be made available to staff and children old enough to cycle to school independently and parents accompanying children to and from the site. The bike rack will also be available to staff.

Cllr Paul De Kort from Hertfordshire County Council said: “Our local environment could be drastically improved by adoption of more cycling. Roundwood Park school is trying to play its part by helping to remove the known barriers to greater active travel. I am therefore delighted to be able to use some of my locality budget to allow storage of bikes on site for staff and children alike.”

Berkhamsted Raiders – developing an inclusive Football Training experience

Councillor Nigel Taylor (Dacorum) has awarded £750 to support the development of an Inclusive football group within Berkhamsted Raiders football club offering football to children in the local community who have a wide range of physical and neuro-diverse challenges.

The club is keen to grow its offering in this area to the local community and the grant would allow it to invest in more football equipment for training as well as match/training kit for the new players to take part in local tournaments against other inclusive football teams.

Cllr Nigel Taylor from Hertfordshire County Council said: “Berkhamsted Raiders is a great asset to the town. They help develop children’s involvement in sports across the age ranges. This grant will help them develop the service they offer to children in the town.”

St John's Ladies Deaf FC – making Football more available for deaf and disabled girls in Potters Bar

Councillor John Graham (Hertsmere) has awarded £1,000 to help provide greater availability of British Sign Language (BSL) access for the club’s deaf players but there has previously been no funding for interpreters. The current coach is fluent in BSL but other supporting staff need to access courses or hire interpreters to facilitate access.

Cllr John Graham from Hertfordshire County Council said: “Despite the recent positive promotion of deafness and the increased interest in female football, organisations like St Johns Ladies Deaf FC have difficulty raising funds. I am pleased to be able to contribute towards BSL interpreters and other requirements to help this team from Potters Bar.”

Zenith Trampoline Club - Course in strength and conditioning for Potters Bar trampolinists

Councillor John Graham (Hertsmere) has awarded a grant of £360 to help fund the club team coach to take a level 4 prerequisites in strength and conditioning.

The club team is at the stage where they require additional core strength to produce the world class athletes needed and the coach will need to be qualified to do this. The club is offering free sessions for children on free school meals who would not normally have the funds to attend. Zenith is a not-for-profit club who have been meeting at the Furzefield centre Potters Bar for over 20 years and has strong links with the community.

Cllr John Graham from Hertfordshire County Council said: “I am pleased to support the Zenith trampolining club in Potters Bar in their wider community work. The grant will support the club in giving free lessons to disadvantaged children.”

Box Cleva – New equipment for a ‘No Contact’ educational sporting charity.

Councillor Dee Hart (Broxbourne) has awarded a grant of £500 to help fund equipment used during boxing sessions such as ropes, mats, gloves etc.

Box Cleva is an educational sporting charity, looking to improve levels of fitness, well-being and mental health along with providing a good educational platform for young people aged between seven and 15 years. The aim of Box Cleva is to teach its young people community values such as Respect and Discipline.

Cllr Dee Hart from Hertfordshire County Council said: “I am happy to be able to support Box Cleva in Cheshunt. The Locality Budget Grant will help to fund equipment such as floor mats, skipping ropes & boxing gloves. My thanks go to all the coaches, trainers & volunteers that give up their time to support young people in this sport. Well Done to all concerned. I hope to see future champions one day.”

Ware Boxing Club - Club premises development.

Councillor Jonathan Kaye (Herts East) has awarded a grant of £1,000 to help fund essential equipment for Ware boxing club and its members. The club is still in temporary premises and is working towards more permanent facilities. The club is hugely successful regularly running 2-3 sessions a week for 30 or more young people. They are limited in numbers due to the current premises but by maintaining regular sessions they have built a cohort of support and are generating groups of young people who have learnt about fitness, nutrition and respect for others.

Once in new permanent premises the numbers are expected to increase. The leaders of the club benefited from a similar club in their youth, which is what drives them to give back to young people through the sport of boxing.

Cllr Jonathan Kaye from Hertfordshire County Council said: “Ware Boxing Club has been seeking permanent premises for some time, but this hasn't prevented youngsters with support from their parents, getting involved, helping their fitness and strengthening their confidence. Rowland and his volunteers are doing a great job with training and creating a warm hospitable atmosphere at the boxing sessions.”

Croxley Guild of Sport and Social - Refurbishment of Kitchen Facilities at Croxley Guild of Sport.

Councillor Chris Lloyd (Three Rivers) has awarded a grant of £1,000 to help with the refurbishment of kitchen facilities at the Croxley Clubhouse.

The current kitchen facilities are insufficient to meet the needs of the many parents and juniors attending the Club at group practice and match type events, and during high demand periods from other sports groups activities. Refurbishment works will increase the capacity of the kitchen and renew all old/outdated equipment. The planned outcome will be a facility that meets the needs of the sports and other members of CGS, encouraging greater participation in sports and at the club by the local community.

Cllr Chris Lloyd from Hertfordshire County Council said: “Refurbishment of the kitchen facilities in the clubhouse will benefit all the clubs that play there including Rugby, Tennis and Bowls. I want to encourage people of all ages to get involved in sport. It is great that this grant will complete the amount that the club need. I would like to thank all those involved managing the project.”