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The ground-breaking Telford Sports, Learning &
Enterprise Community project has scooped a top award after being
named as winner of the inaugural BBC Midlands Power of Sport
Award.
This unique partnership comprises Telford & Wrekin Council,
AFC Telford United Football Club, Telford College of Arts and
Technology, Hadley Learning Community, Wrekin College and the
national governing bodies for football, netball, tennis,
basketball, cricket, rugby union, rugby league and dance.
It aims to provide residents with sports and learning facilities
at four key sites - AFC Telford, TCAT, HLC and Wrekin College.
Sponsored by Sport England, the award was announced at the BBC
Midlands' Annual Sports Awards ceremony hosted by TV presenter,
Nick Owen, at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.
The Power of Sport Award recognises a community project within
the West Midlands that has positively changed the lives of local
people through sport - tackling deprivation, health inequalities,
anti-social behaviour and promoting social inclusion and offering
life changing opportunities.
TSLEC beat off competition from five other finalists for the
award and took the podium alongside stars such as Chris 'Bomber'
Harris who was named Sports Personality of the Year, and Ryan
Farrington who collected this year's Special Achievement Award.
TSLEC is a sports hub with a difference. It brings together four
unique sites and eight sports under one umbrella - working in
partnership using the power of sport to make a positive difference
to people living in Telford and Wrekin and the region.
The project is supported by several regional and national
organisations including Sport England, Advantage West Midlands and
the Football Foundation.
Council leader Andrew Eade said, "This is an exciting time for
the borough and we feel the TSLEC project will continue to gain
regional and national recognition as it grows. I think it is a
tribute to the hard work and commitment of all the people
involved."
Steve Wellings, Telford & Wrekin Council chief executive who
accepted the award, added: "Our partnership is based on pride and
passion. We believe the Telford model is a ground breaking sports
concept with a difference - it puts education, inclusion and health
at its core and focus. It is a great honour for our partnership to
win this prestigious award which recognises the real impact sports
projects can make on local communities."
Steve Town, Regional Director for Sport England said, "There are
pockets of high deprivation in Telford & Wrekin and the
initiatives taking place on the four sites are really tackling
issues of social inclusion using sport. This is a novel, ground
breaking partnership approach to sports development, linking with
clubs and governing bodies and I congratulate all those involved in
making this happen". |