Successful return of the Stevenage and North Hertfordshire Club Forum

Tuesday 16th July 2024 saw the return of the Stevenage & North Hertfordshire Club Forum; hosted at Hertfordshire FA’s County Ground. 31 representatives from clubs and organisations across the districts met to discuss key issues, challenges and topics that impact clubs including funding, welfare and volunteering. The event also served to launch a new project in partnership with North Herts & Stevenage Centre for Voluntary Services (NH&SCVS), supporting local clubs to access the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) services by removing financial barriers to membership for the first year. 

The evening began with Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership’s (HSP) Charlie Mann who introduced the event, followed by the introduction of representatives from the CVS. This paved the way to launch the offer to clubs and highlight their wider services and support for clubs and organisations. 

Lorna Wormald, Stevenage Borough Council gave a brief presentation on Sport Stevenage with the aim to breathe new life into the group which has served a network and union for community sport in the town for over 50 years. 

Adam Nnochiri, Active in the Community (AITC) introduced himself and his role having been recently appointed. AITC have received a small pot of funding from North Herts District Council to help map community sports clubs, ascertain the level and expertise of volunteers and work with clubs to future proof and plan to avoid the predicted deficit within our workforce. 

The evening concluded with HSP’s Sport Welfare Officer, Joe Gamble presenting an overview of his role and how he can be a key point of reference for safeguarding and welfare advice for Hertfordshire clubs with an emphasis of driving welfare standards and improving club culture.  

For more information on events and club support, please contact Charlie Mann c.mann3@herts.ac.uk