Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund set to revitalise vital safe spaces in Rotherham | OneFootball

Brilliant work is being done in the community at Rotherham United

This post is sponsored by Sky Bet

Rotherham United Community Trust have received £65,000 in funding to revitalise a vital 3G facility that has helped to bring the local community together for several years.

The 3G pitch is set to be reconfigured, along with the perimeter fencing goal shortage and spectator area, for those who are keen to see players in action.

The funding, which has been provided by the Sky Bet Building Foundations Fund, will pay for LED floodlighting.

This should allow those in the local community to play on this 3G facility both during the day and at night, maximising the number of people who will be able to access this facility after the end of school and work.

The impact of the Sky Bet Building Foundations Fund on the town of Rotherham

£65,000 is an amount that can make a difference to any EFL Club charity in the country - and it has been particularly vital at Rotherham in their quest to revitalise the 3G facility they bought before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking about the difference that the five-figure grant will make, Rotherham United Community Trust’s Operations Manager Gary Bricknell told FLW: "The fund itself really has enabled us to get the development over the line. We received 76% funding from the football foundation to get the process started.

"But obviously, that left us with around £120,000-£150,000 to find to get the project up and running for the redevelopment of the site.

"Without the Sky Bet fund, the whole project wouldn't be possible really.

“We can only do so much with the resources we've got, so to have support from other providers like Sky Bet, the EFL, the Premier League, and football foundation, all of them really, without those, we couldn't do what we do in the local community.”

The 3G facility may be able to operate at the moment, but clearly, there are improvements to be made, and Bricknell went on to explain why this money is much needed.

"We purchased a small 3G facility back in 2019 just before Covid which wasn't ideal timing,” he added.

"Again, supported through the football foundation.

"And now we've had it for the best part of five years and we bought it second hand, it was used, and it's just tired.

"It's really run down, not really fit for purpose anymore, so it needs to be brought back to life essentially so we can have a nice facility in one of the most deprived areas in Rotherham to offer our services to the local community."

Rotherham United Community Trust provides support for vulnerable groups

The Trust aims to revitalise this 3G facility with underrepresented groups in mind.

A “safe space” is vital for all communities to support those who are most vulnerable - and Bricknell spoke about the importance of this in his interview with FLW.

Asked how important these spaces are for people to play football, he continued: "It's massive.

"I've been at the Trust for 14 years now and from where we were 14 years ago, which was essentially in a factory on an industrial estate to then moving into the stadium initially and then having our own 3G pitch and clubhouse, it's fundamental to the work that we do.

"It just offers a safe space for the local community that they know they can come to and have assurances that they won't get judged.

Those often most at need in local communities are refugees who are trying to integrate into the local community.

Speaking about what the Rotherham United Community Trust is doing currently with refugees, Bricknell said: “We're doing a project at the minute for communities and it's working with some of the refugee groups across Rotherham.

“Obviously, as you can imagine, the recent rioting that has taken place, not just in Rotherham, but across the country, has been quite detrimental.

“So just being able to provide a safe space for community groups like those, not just those, but a variety of community groups where they can come together and feel safe and feel part of the team is vital.”

The grant provided by the Sky Bet Building Foundations Fund should help to provide a better safe space for those people and others, with the 3G facility acting as a place for non-judgemental people to play the game they love.

The work of the Rotherham United Community Trust

The refurbishing of the 3G pitch will build on the excellent work that the Rotherham United Community Trust has already undertaken since it was established as a charity in 2007.

The Trust provides sessions for people of all ages - and specific programmes are available for those who are keen to manage their weight.

But young people are those who are often most affected by the Trust’s work, with the charity running school programmes, training camps and even a sports college.

Those who have disabilities and special educational needs aren’t forgotten either - and it’s clear to see that the Trust’s wide-ranging work has helped to improve the lives of many people in the local area for nearly 20 years.

The grant received will help the Trust to improve many more lives, which can only be a good thing for everyone in the local community, not just those who are vulnerable.