WNST £1m up in Brent

WNST is delighted to announce that we have now awarded more than £1m in grants to organisations in LB Brent, our “home borough”. Our first grants programme, launched in 2012, was to support a wide range of sports activities for people living in the communities and neighbourhoods that surround the stadium. And we have been building these relationships ever since.

The latest round of grants we made in June 2015, took us beyond the £1m mark. During this time we have awarded 158 grants to over 100 different organisations. About half of what we have funded has gone to football clubs and projects and it remains by far the most popular sport in the borough. But we know that it is not for everyone, which is why we have also supported a host of other sports as well – from cricket, rugby and tennis, through basketball, sailing and table tennis, to American Football, Gaelic sports, bowls and korfball. We have also funded specialist sessions for local disabled people, older members of the community and school sports. Something, we hope, for everyone. Grants have been used for everything from new kit, pitch hire and coaching costs to training programmes, new boats and facilities refurbishment.

To celebrate our £1m landmark, we hosted a special cheque presentation at Capital City Academy, where we are funding their Girls Summer of Sport. This initiative has encouraged more than 100 local girls every day to come and try out a whole range of different sports, with the aim of engaging them with local clubs to maintain their interest. WNST Chairman, Lord Toby Harris and trustee, Ann John, were joined by the Worshipful the Mayor of Brent, Cllr Lesley Jones, Director of Events at Wembley Stadium, Lindsey Jackson, and special guest Samantha Miller, of WSL2 team London Bees.

Lord Toby Harris said “We are delighted to have forged such as successful long-term relationship with the sports community in Brent. So many of the groups we fund tell us that they can see the famous Wembley Arch from their pitch or venue – funding in the local area is therefore a natural thing for us to do. Thanks are due to the Council, the CVS and Middlesex FA for helping us reach out into the local communities and we look forward to seeing sport in Brent continuing to flourish.”

Jacquie McDonnell, PE Lead at Capital City Academy added “We are so pleased to have been the recipients of the grant that takes WNST over the £1m mark. It’s a real achievement in such a short time and the money really does make a huge difference to local sports clubs. For us to be able to give so many girls and young women the chance to play sport and get active is really important and thanks to WNST for helping us make it happen.”