Rotherham United in line for top community award

It is in the running for the award along with Burnley, Burton Albion, Charlton Athletic, Brighton and Hove Albion and Cardiff City.

One of the reasons for the nomination for the Johnstone’s Paint sponsored award is the club’s work around supporting people with mental health issues.

It runs a programme that aims to create sporting, training and volunteering opportunities for adults with mental health issues.

The club’s work with schools, communities and encouraging inclusion is also cited in the nomination.

It runs a programme for primary school children programme combining six weeks of practical sports sessions with classroom based activities focused on diet, nutrition and the human body.

The club has also spent the last few years trying to encourage more women and girls to take up sport.

Jamie Noble, Rotherham United’s Head of Community, said: “We have been commended for our work in a host of areas including education, sports participation and inclusion.

“Over the past few years encouraging females to participate in sport has been a big part of the work Rotherham United Community Sports Trust have been doing.

“Now in our third year the number of females engaged in some form of football activity will very shortly reach the 1000 mark - a target we never imagined possible.”

Its ‘national citizenship’ programme has seen young people giving 40,820 hours of their time as volunteers working on a number of projects, including creating a sensory garden for people with dementia, painting and decorating community centres and organising sport events.

This year alone they have £15,000 for 24 charities including Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Rotherham Hospice, Rain Rescue Animal Sanctuary and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Rotherham United also runs the Premier League ‘Kicks’ project, aimed at working with young people who were previously difficult to reach, with the aim of guiding them towards a range of healthy and constructive activities.

The winner will be announced on Sunday.