Brentford FC Community Sports Trust 25 Years Celebration
On Thursday, March 7th 2013 Brentford FC Community Sports Trust launched its 25th year anniversary review at the House of Commons. Hosted in Speaker’s House by kind permission of Mr. Speaker, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP, the event celebrated 25 years of the Trust since its launch in 1987.
Representatives from key stakeholder organizations including Brentford FC, the Football League Trust, the Professional Footballers Association, The Premier League Charitable Fund and Hounslow & Ealing Councils were on hand as The Trust celebrated this important milestone. Initially launched as a Football in the Community project, the organization was established as a charitable Trust in 2005 and has been awarded Community Club of the year on three separate occasions.
The Trust undertakes important community work in settings across Hounslow, Ealing and Richmond including sports activity in local schools and sports centres, diversionary activities for young people on estates and intervention work with people at risk of offending. The Trust has grown significantly and now employs 100 staff.
In 2012 the Trust delivered 356,000 contact hours at nearly 7,700 sessions. The Trust works to build positive relationships with participants through enjoyable and constructive sport, education and mentoring programmes. An indication of success is that each participant on average took part in at least 38 hours of activity in 2011-12.
Speeches from Chair of Trustees & Managing Director of St. George West London Ltd Ian Dobie, Brentford FC Director Donald Kerr, Trust CEO Lee Doyle and Mary Macleod MP portrayed the impact made by the Trust in the last quarter of a century. Brentford FC Director of Football Mark Warburton, Board members, staff and players including Brentford FC Club Captain Kevin O’Connor and Farid El Alagui also attended to show their support.
Chair of Trustees Ian Dobie said, “Having been involved with the Sports Trust for over 12 years now, as sponsors, partners and a supporter, and having chaired the Trust for 7 of those years, I feel a great sense of pride at what the Team has achieved over the past quarter of a century.
Thousands of lives have been enriched because of the dedicated individuals who deliver sport and education to West London for the better good of the community.”
Chief Executive of the Trust, Lee Doyle said: “The review is a celebration of the efforts and commitment of our staff, Trustees, volunteers, partners and participants. We have built a team with a vision and will continue to work together to make a positive difference.”
Brentford FC Director Donald Kerr said: “The relationship between Brentford Football Club and the Trust is truly symbiotic in that each party benefits hugely from the activities of the other. The work of the Trust contributes significantly to the profile and positive reputation of the club and we look forward to all of us having an even more successful future together in the new stadium
To view the online gallery from the event please visit the Trust’s Facebook pages.