Leavesden Country Park Community Activities Programme wins Professional Community Project of the Year

Community projects, sports clubs and volunteers recognised at county awards evening

Community sports clubs, coaches, volunteers and projects were all recognised last night (Tuesday 19th November) at the 16th annual Hertfordshire Service to Sport Awards hosted by the Herts Sports Partnership.

Against a field of eleven strong projects, Three Rivers District Council were announced as winners in the Professional Community Project of the Year category for the Leavesden Country Park Community Activities Programme. This award recognises professional organisations who have made a significant impact on sport, community life, health and wellbeing.

The community activities programme, which is unique and bespoke to the park as a result of National Lottery funding, is engaging vulnerable hard-to-reach groups in various activities and workshops with groups such as Young Carers, older adults, disability groups, new mums and young people all benefitting from the diverse and varied  programme.

Ray Figg, Head of Community Services at Three Rivers District Council, said: “It was a fantastic celebration of sport in Hertfordshire and I was delighted to see our Leisure team be successful in the Professional Community Project of the Year.

“It’s a great achievement by a dedicated team providing outdoor sport and learning opportunities for children, young people and adults in Leavesden County Park. I’d like to thank our many partners involved in the Leavesden project for their continued support.”

Every year, sports personnel and volunteers commit their time and energy to Hertfordshire sport. The evening, hosted by Sky Sports F1 David Croft, acknowledged and celebrated the massive contribution that volunteers and clubs make.

Geof Muggeridge, Director of Community & Environmental Services at Three Rivers District Council, added: “It is important to have occasions like this so we can recognise and reward the outstanding contribution that sport clubs, coaches, volunteers and organisations make to the community sport sector. Without them sport would not be where it is today in Three Rivers and across Hertfordshire. I was delighted to see the Three Rivers Leisure team winning an accolade.”

Proud winners on the night from across Three Rivers included:

• Professional Community Project of the Year – 1st place -  Leavesden Country Park Community Activities Programme Three Rivers District Council
• Apprentice of the Year – 2nd place, Nick Botten (Parmiters School)
• This Girl Can in Herts Award – 3rd place, Karen Labbatt (CCYFC)
• This Girl Can in Herts Award – 2nd place Debra Geard (UCanJog2)
• David Wray Service to Sport Award – 2nd place - Colm Finnegan (Croxley FC).

Nominees across the other categories included:

• Male Community Coach of the Year – Phil Lewins (Abbots Langley CC)
• This Girl Can in Herts Award – Abbots Langley CC, Mary McLellan (Mums of Steel)
• Community Club of the Year – Abbots Langley CC
• Professional Community Project of the Year – ABC Croxley Skate Camps.

For more details on all the winners and nominees including photos of the event visit  www.sportinherts.org.uk .