Re-energising Berry Brow Football Club
The Pitch
Problem statement
In May 2022, there were 81 violent crime offences in Berry Brow, 17 public order offences and 11 criminal damage/arson incidents (ilivehere.co.uk) By offering adults a chance to be part of an inclusive football club,we hope to reduce these figures and create a sense of community pride and belonging. Fees for players brings in an income of £3000 each season. Field hire, Referee Fees, Winter Floodlit Training Facilities, Field Maintenance and Full Season Kit Washing are core costs per season which amount to almost £8000, without considering further costs such as repairing changing rooms, kits and equipment. The committee are focused on covering core costs but require support for other costs
Solution
The goal of the project is to continue the hard work the committee of the club have done to date and also re-energise and reinvigorate the club by replacing old, damaged equipment, repairing the changing rooms and upskilling some of the committee and coaches through training. The much-needed injection of funds for the club has the potential to have a hugely positive impact on the club and the local community by retaining current playing members and also attracting new individuals from the area to a sociable, friendly, ambitious football club that will not only provide adults with the opportunity to take part in sporting activities and contribute to a reduction in the levels of ASB and crime.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
The club has a dedicated committee of individuals who have lifetime connections with the club and community. The majority are from the local area and well-known community figures who are determined to ensure the long-term stability and success of the club. We regularly attract new members to the committee, which provides a fresh outlook on the direction of the club and new energy with different ideas and opinions. This really helps the club to be representative of the area in which the club operates. Current and potential playing members can all resonate with at least one member of the committee due to their backgrounds and affiliation with the village of Berry Brow.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| 1x New Playing Kit (16 x shirts, 16 x socks, 16 x shorts) | £650 |
| Replacement Locks on Changing Room Doors | £220 |
| External Paint for Changing Rooms | £130 |
| Changing Room Toilet Repair | £300 |
| Footballs (25 x £10) | £250 |
| Training Bibs (30 x £4) | £120 |
| Training Cones (1 x set) | £30 |
| Contribution to Floodlit Winter Training Facilities (£1000 of £2000 total cost) | £1,000 |
| First Aid Courses (4 x £25) | £100 |
| Coaching Courses (4 x £50) | £200 |
Beneficiaries
80 people
Expected impact
We would expect to have a positive impact with further adults within the Berry Brow areas as well as the 60 existing members. We would measure this by assessing the number of signed on playing members on a quarterly basis and assessing as to whether numbers had increased or remained the same. Through investing in the club and providing new, updated equipment we would also hope to see levels of crime and ASB to reduce from the current levels detailed by attracting members to be part of our club and have something to do in their spare time. We would measure the reports available on ilivehere.co.uk to see if our activities were having a positive impact on these figures. To compliment the above two measurable targets, we would also carry out user/member questionnaires on a 6 monthly basis to evaluate why they are using our club, what else they could be doing, if are they happy with the opportunities we are providing. The results from this would feed in to how we operate in the future.
Track record
It is testament to the current committee that the club has not only survived through the COVID-19 pandemic but continues to operate with 4 teams, which is almost unheard of within the Huddersfield area. We currently have qualified football coaches, qualified referees and also trained first aiders and are keen to continue to utilise these skills but also develop and refresh their knowledge and attract new committee members and players. In 2017 we were lucky enough to receive £10,000 matched funding from The Football Foundation to install some on-site changing facilities at our pitch. We were donated a large steel container by a local business to refurb and managed to raise the £10,000 matched funding across 3 years to compliment the £10,000 from The Football Foundation through various fundraising initiatives and events such as raffles, calendars, race nights and family fun days therefore we have a track record in being successful in applying for grants and managing projects.