Launch of Berkhamsted Sporting Excellence Awards

BSG launch with Lady Mayoress

To mark the Centenary of Berkhamsted Sports Grounds Charitable Association, which was founded in 1924, the charity has launched Berkhamsted Sporting Excellence Awards available to all clubs in the Berkhamsted area who run competitive teams and whose sport is recognised by Sport England. The launch took place on 6 June at Berkhamsted Golf Club attended by the Lady Mayoress Susan Jordan and many local sports clubs.

In addition, the charity is launching a Loans Programme for all sport and active leisure clubs who are not members of BSGCA. The charitable purpose of BSGCA is to enhance the well-being of the residents of Berkhamsted and surrounding villages through the provision of facilities for their participation in sports and active leisure. Current members are the principal clubs in the town:

  • Berkhamsted Football Club
  • Berkhamsted Cricket Club
  • Berkhamsted Raiders Community Football Club
  • Berkhamsted Lawn Tennis and Squash Racquets Club
  • Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead Hockey Club
  • Berkhamsted Rugby Club
  • Berkhamsted Golf Club

The charity owns the freehold land on which Berkhamsted Football Club and Berkhamsted Cricket Club play and part of the site for Berkhamsted Tennis and Squash Club. Members can apply for a range of loans and grants.

The Sporting Excellence Awards will be given in June 2025 and will be judged by the achievement of the individual in their sport plus a demonstration of their commitment to sporting values. The club award will be judged especially focused on its contribution to social and community values. Sponsorships have already been secured for most of the award categories:

  • Rising Star of the Year – Berkhamsted Football Club
  • Club of the Year – Thakeham Homes
  • Youth Sports Person of the Year [Boys/Girls] – Glencar Group
  • Volunteer of the Year – Berkhamsted Rotary Club
  • Adult Sports Person of the Year [Men/Women] – Harrowell and Atkins
  • Volunteer Coach of the Year – BSGCA
  • Berkhamsted Sports will be making a contribution to the Charity

Individual winners will receive a £250 Voucher for Berkhamsted Sports plus a trophy. The Rising Star will receive £1000 towards elite coaching plus a trophy and the Club of the Year will receive £1000 plus a trophy.

The non-member Loans Programme will offer loans for the purchase or improvement of tangible assets such as buildings and equipment up to 25% of the cost. Loans will be available from £500 up to a maximum of £15,000 for a period of up to 5 years with an initial sum reserved for the programme of £50,000. Interest will be charged at 1% above Bank of England Base Rate.

For further information please contact paulforster.bsgca@gmail.com or visit www.bsgca.org

Additionally, the charity has announced the appointment of two new Independent Directors/Trustees to the Board:

  • Alex Coakley has a senior management track record in successfully scaling media technology start-ups, combined with strategic international sales and distribution experience. He has specialised in sports technology and the monetisation of content. Alex lives in Berkhamsted and has two young daughters with a passion for sport.
  • Stephi Brett-Lee brings extensive and successful experience of marketing and communications, most recently as Marketing Director of Asda. She was previously Deputy Director of Internal Communications at the Department of Work and Pensions. Stephi also lives in Berkhamsted and has a young family who are just getting started in sport.