Christmas Report

2020 has been a busy year - despite Covid-19.

Our Annual Awards Dinner on the 5th March was a huge success. There was a fantastic (pre-lockdown) atmosphere, many amazing award winners and a great attendance that helped us raise a significant amount of money. Stephen Miller M.B.E. was awarded the Wilkinson Sword trophy for Lifetime Achievement (see photo). His amusing acceptance speech was a highlight of the evening.

The postponed Golf Day, sponsored by Tier One Capital, took place in September and raised over £3,000. Twenty two teams competed but it was Northumbria University that won – for the 2nd successive year.

Unfortunately Covid finally caught up with us and we had to cancel our biennial Unsung Heroes event in November. It should be back next year.

We have continued to support 6 Sports Scholars throughout the year and have high hopes that at least two will qualify for the Olympics next summer.

11 Rising Stars each received grants of £250 at the Awards Dinner. Twenty other athletes received individual grants throughout the year, ranging from £250 to £750. In total 22 girls and 9 boys from 22 different clubs received grants that covered 18 different sports.

We established a Covid Emergency Fund in June to help clubs or organisations combat the problems of the pandemic. So far 7 awards have been made, ranging from £400 to £1000. This fund will stay open for the foreseeable future to help clubs ‘bounce back’ after Covid.

We’ve also created a Hardship Fund for individuals who are experiencing specific financial problems as a result of the pandemic. Applications should come through their clubs (details in the Grants section of the website).

Our Awards Policy has been amended to give clubs a bigger role in determining grant awards to individuals.

2021 and beyond?

The Golf Day will take place on Friday 25th June (details in the Events section of the website).

Our Annual Awards Dinner is provisionally scheduled for Thursday 4th November at Newcastle Civic Centre.

We hope to hold the ‘Unsung Heroes’ event at some stage next year once it is safe to do so.

We are open for ‘business as usual’.

We are determined to continue to support grass roots sport and to champion up and coming stars of the future, despite the constraints of the pandemic.

We are thankful to everyone who has supported Sport Newcastle throughout 2020. Your loyal support will be even more crucial next year in order to help local amateur sport get back on its’ feet.

Merry Christmas from all at Sport Newcastle.