The Community Kit Room (CKR) was recently shortlisted for the Community Impact Award in the BASIS Sustainable Sport Awards that took place at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, home to Wimbledon Tennis Championships on Thursday 26th September. 

The Community Impact Award saw a high volume of applications from different organisations across the UK, with the following 5 nominees making the shortlist via the BASIS judging panel:

• Active Lancashire - Active Cycles

• Sporting Communities  - Normanton Park Sports Centres

• Motorsport UK - Girls On Track

• Aneurin Leisure Trust - Community Kit Room 

• Harlequins Rugby Stadium & CBRE 

Active Lancashire with their Active Cycles project was declared winner of the award.  The sports development team and our community engagement officer are proud of their achievements with the CKR, and to be shortlisted for the award, given the high volume of applicants in community impact category, is recognition of the hard work that has gone into making the CKR a success and a reflection on this much-needed resource in the community.

The team had a great day at Wimbledon, learning about other sustainability initiatives across a wide variety of different organisations, sports and communities, and look forward to progressing the CKR in the near future. 

Adam Hughes, community engagement officer for Aneurin Leisure Trust said: "The Community Kit Room (CKR) has gone from strength to strength since its launch in February 2022. Support from many partners, organisations, and the community has made it a great success, supporting over 300 adults and children.

"We have continued to develop and grow the initiative over the past 20 months; donation bins are located across Blaenau Gwent and have increased recycling and we receive fantastic amounts of both new and pre-loved sportswear from members of the community."

Hannah Winmill, sports development supervisor for Aneurin Leisure Trust added: "Receiving the Street Games South Wales Mental Health & Wellbeing Award in October 2023, and also being shortlisted for the Community Impact Award in the recent British Association of Sustainability In Sport (BASIS) awards in September 2024 illustrates a true reflection on the impact the CKR has had on both society and the environment.

"We are pleased to be sharing good practice with other local authorities such as Torfaen and Pembrokeshire who are looking to adopt the same initiative to help and support individuals in their area. We hope to continue and lead by example in Blaenau Gwent demonstrating how we’re finding solutions to the barriers facing sport and physical activity participation, and to inspire others across South Wales and beyond to support such issues.

"We'd like to thank everyone for their support so far in aiming to make sport accessible for all."

For more information on our Community Kit Room, including where you can donate or access the initiative, visit our Community Kit Room webpage