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2021-08-31-accounts

SPORTING MARVELSSPORTING MARVELS

TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2021

Charity No: 1101562

Company No: 04543255 (A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

CONTENTS
 PAGE
Legal and Administrative Information 3
Leadership & Management 4
Introducing Sporting Marvels 8
Chairman’s Overview 12
Report of the Trustees 14
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibility 38
Independent Examiner’s Report 39
Statement of Financial Activities 40
Balance Sheet 41
Notes to the Financial Statements 42
Overview and Analysis of Income & Expenditure 44

“I honestly can’t believe how much I’ve changed because of Sporting Marvels. It’s hard to explain but everything is different now. Before, I didn’t have much confidence but now I really believe in myself now and I can do loads of things that I thought I couldn’t. You’ve changed my life!” TAYLOR, MIGHTY MARVELS PUPIL, AGED 11

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LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity name:

Sporting Marvels

UK Registered Charity No: 1101562 Company No: 04543255 (a company limited by guarantee)

Website: www.sportingmarvels.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/sportingmarvels Instagram: @sportingmarvels

Registered office:

Central Offices Top Road Gelli Ind Est, Gelli Rhondda Cynon Taf CF41 7UW

Trustees:

Mr Philip R Davies (Chair) Mr Carl L Brettle Mr John K Cox Mr Arthur R Thomas

Directors: Mr Philip R Davies Mr Lawrie R Davies

Accountants:

John Smart Chartered Accountants New Park Terrace Treforest Pontypridd CF37 1TH

Bank:

Barclays Bank plc

The 2020/21 Sporting Marvels Team

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LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT YEAR 31 AUGUST 2021

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CARL BRETTLE

As a charity, Sporting Marvels is overseen by a Board of Trustees, presently made up of four individuals:

Carl is a former United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) board level director who has extensive experience in communications and engagement strategies having worked with national and international ministries in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Uganda & South Africa.

PHIL DAVIES Founder & Chair of Trustees

Phil founded Sporting Marvels in 2002 after being called out of a high-profile off-field career in professional Rugby Union where he was the architect of the Treorchy “Dream” before going on to hold some of the biggest jobs in Welsh and British rugby. The vision to put a positive Christian role model in front of every school pupil in Rhondda was timely, with less than 0.9% of Rhondda’s population regularly attending church according to the 2001 census, and it still burns brightly in his heart to this very day. At the beginning of the 2012/13 academic year, day-to-day management passed to Phil’s son, Lawrie, who had previously served his 5-year apprenticeship as a Marvel and then as Team Leader. A law grad- ~~uat~~ e and a prolific writer, Phil is more committed to the cause than ever and he works every day helping Lawrie and the team on an unpaid and voluntary basis, the importance of which cannot be overstated.

REV JOHN COX

John is an established church pastor of over 30 years standing in the Ferndale/Maerdy area, Rhondda’s most deprived community, and has been a hugely respected pillar of the Rhondda community for over forty years. He has been a Trustee of Sporting Marvels since 2013.

BOB THOMAS

Bob is an accountant and longterm financial partner of Sporting Marvels, and has served ~~as a~~ Trustee since 2013. His heart, knowledge and experience with regards to financial reporting and administration has helped the charity immensely.

charity immensely. www.sportingmarvels.com

Managing Director, Lawrie, pictured with (from left) Trustees: Carl, Phil, Bob & John.

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“We could really feel your appreciation for Superbook and I’m so glad that Superbook is reaching so many children through the work of Sporting Marvels. You’ve encouraged us to lift our faith in recent years regarding Superbook, and we believe that our influence in schools and churches is really going to expand and grow over the new few years. It’s amazing to see more schools being added to the programme, and we’re really honoured to play a part in your story.” MARK DIJKENS, UK DIRECTOR, CBN EUROPE

COUNCIL OF REFERENCE

Sporting Marvels also has a Council of Reference in place that meets annually, in addition to the Trustees meetings. The Council is made up of successful individuals who have strong experience in Christian ministry...

RON SPILLARDS

Ron is one of the UK’s most respected ministry men. His wisdom and experience have been of immeasurable benefit over many years.

RUDI PLAUT CBE

Rudi is a successful Cardiff businessman, and government advisor in matters of education, commerce and business. He is also an experienced church leader.

MARTIN HAWKINS

Martin is the European Director for KCM and is extremely experienced in all aspects of organisational and ministerial leadership.

ALLEN CARTER

Allen is the UK Director of CBN Europe and has extensive experience across the ministry spectrum.

NICK & RUTH DAVIS

Nick is a successful businessman and qualified accountant whilst Ruth is the former Head of Nursing at USW. Both now run their own foundation impacting Wales & East Africa.

Former members of the Sporting Marvels COUNCIL OF REFERENCE...

Elfed Godding (2004-2018)

Former National Director, Evangelical Alliance of Wales

Jenny Hill (2003-2018)

Former Leader, National Prayer Breakfast for Wales

Richard Fleming (2003-2014)

Managing Director, TBN Europe

Gerald Williams (2003-2009)

Church Leader & BBC Sports Commentator

Mark Dijkens (2017-2019)

Regional Director, CBN Europe (Creators of Superbook)

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SENIOR MANAGEMENT

FIONA DAVIES Part-Time Head of Development

While the Trustees oversee the charity, Sporting Marvels is run by its Senior Management Team (with the Chair of Trustees, Phil, fulltime voluntary support), comprising Managing Director Lawrie Davies, Part-time Head of Development Dr Fiona Davies, and Team Leaders Ian and Lauren Smith.

LAWRIE DAVIES Managing Director

Lawrie joined the ministry as an Intern at the start of 2007/08 and is the only person in the organisation’s history to have done every operational role – Intern, Trainee, Primary School Marvel, Secondary School Marvel, Events Manager, Team Leader, and now Managing Director. Lawrie instantly helped the organisation become more efficient in every way, and no church or ministry in Wales reaches as many young people on a weekly basis with Christianity in secular schools, than Sporting Marvels. Like his Dad, Lawrie is also a law graduate with expertise in the commercial, marketing, and communications side of sport/community sport having founded Rhondda Netball in 2016/17, now Wales’ largest female sports participation initiative.

All key personnel are self-employed so that they are able to do extra work with other charities or businesses around their ministry commitments, given the “missionary” nature of the Sporting Marvels vision.

Lawrie, pictured with Sporting Marvels Team Leaders, Ian & Lauren

Fiona , a financial partner of the ministry since 2003, retired as a lecturer at Cardiff University in 2013, and Lawrie asked her if she’d help the ministry with grant applications and reporting 1-2 days per week. Her big heart wouldn’t let her say no and her skills and experience have brought so much to the table.

IAN SMITH Team Leader

Ian joined the ministry as an Intern in 2010 having come through our All-Star Leadership Programme at Tonypandy Community College. He is one of the best Marvels to have ever worn the jersey, and as a result was promoted to Team Leader in 2014/2015. He does a fantastic job of leading and motivating the Sporting Marvels team.

LAUREN SMITH Team Leader

Lauren joined the ministry as an Intern in 2014 also having come through the All-Star Leadership Programme. Since joining, Lauren has overachieved in all roles and responsibilities and subsequently, was promoted to Team Leader in 2018/2019 academic Year. Both Ian and Lauren have helped create the hard-working mission culture that has been foundational to the success we’ve seen over the last few years.

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“The Marvels are professional, highly competent and always well-prepared. They’re able to deal with the range of issues that we have, providing an individual programme, developed with each child’s background and needs in mind. They’re outstanding role models who fully embody everything that Sporting Marvels stands for and strives to achieve. I cannot praise them highly enough!!”

KAY EMMANUELLI, HEADTEACHER, PARTNER PRIMARY SCHOOL

Team Leader Ian Smith, pictured with the team at one of our Monday meetings

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INTRODUCING SPORTING MARVELS

CHRISTIAAN WELMAN, left and below , THE FIRST MARVEL & TEAM LEADER WHO ARRIVED FROM SOUTH AFRICA IN SEPT 2003, SERVED SPORTING MARVELS FOR SIX YEARS, AND CHELSEA, left inset , AS A 13 YEAR-OLD ALL-STAR, AND ONE OF TODAY’S TEAM MEMBERS!

“What God is doing through you guys is awesome! You have been consistent for years now, pouring the right values, beliefs and character into the young people of Rhondda; sowing seed into well prepared soil. A great transformation has taken place! I remember my first assembly at Tonypandy where I told the story of Moses and realised that they didn’t know who Moses was! They hadn’t grown up with Bible stories the way kids did in South Africa, helping prepare me for when I gave my life to Christ at age 21. It was tough ploughing up that ground. But today?!?!? I remember six years later, shortly after returning to South Africa, getting an email from Chelsea. She wrote these words straight into my heart: “I now know why you came to Rhondda because today, I committed my life to Jesus!” I cried that day I can tell you!! Today in Rhondda, kids know the Bible, they have fabulous role models, and they have hope for the future! It’s awesome and when I read the kids’ stories and appreciation for the work of Sporting Marvels, it fills my heart with joy!! The transformation you have believed for is happening! Keep going!!” CHRISTIAAN WELMAN, first Marvel, writing in 2018

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Sporting Marvels is a Christian charity (No. 1101562) that works in partnership with primary/junior and secondary schools in the Rhondda Valleys of South Wales, one of the most deprived regions in the UK. According to the latest Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (2019), 29% of Rhondda areas fall into the most deprived 10% of areas in Wales, and over 90% of Rhondda areas are higher than the Welsh average in terms of deprivation. Rhondda scores particularly poorly on indicators relating to income, employment, health and education, which leads to many young people having low aspirations and expectations for their own future. With many people leading unhealthy and/or unproductive lifestyles and lacking motivation to change these, the adult role models available to young people are often a negative rather than a positive influence. Within Rhondda, the percentage of population regularly attending church is less than 0.9% (according to the most recent census that recorded this data at a local level – more recent church membership trends for Wales are shown on Page 24).

With all the above in mind, Sporting Marvels was birthed as a vision on 5th July 2002 by Founder & Chairman Phil Davies, with its operational beginning

DEPRIVATION (RHONDDA)[*]

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* Data from - latest (2019) survey
www.gov.wales/welsh-index-multiple-deprivation
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NEGATIVE ROLE MODELS (RCT)

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* Data from
www.publichealthwalesobservatory.wales.nhs.uk/phof
- latest (2020) surveys
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“Doing Sporting Marvels stopped my class arguing with each other and made us a team. Everyone is so much nicer now and the boys are better behaved. Sporting Marvels has definitely made Rhondda a better place and it’s easy the biggest, best and most famous thing in the whole of the Rhondda!” DAISY, MIGHTY MARVELS PUPIL, AGED 10

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point coming in September 2003 with the start of our secondary school work when South African, Christiaan Welman (see page 8), arrived in Rhondda as the first Marvel. The primary/junior school element of our operational strategy started in May 2005. The focal point of our work in primary/junior schools has become our RE, PSE & PE focused “Mighty Marvels Programme”, whilst the development of our “All-Star Leadership Programme” paved the way for greater success at secondary school level. In addition, September 2016 saw the start of the Sporting Marvels “Training Programme” for school-leavers; this was the formalisation of our old internship process aimed at creating long-term sustainability in respect of personnel.

The key operational goal of Sporting Marvels is to put a positive Christian role model in front of every school pupil, aged 10-18, in Rhondda, every day, forever, and to positively influence the choices young people make. By making the Christian message and its key values and principles relevant to today’s generation we play an active role in empowering them to raise their aspirations, give back to their community, and achieve in life.

The catalysts for our influencing process are the ‘Marvels’, our agents of transformation, and today’s team are all products of the work of Sporting Marvels. Once influenced by former Marvels, they’ve all since become Marvels themselves (or are training to be), and now they’re in front of children who sit where they once sat... as key influencers to the next generation! They are wonderful role models and the children absolutely love them, while Headteachers, staff and parents massively appreciate their work and the positive influence they have on Rhondda’s young people.

19 YEAR HISTORY!

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Ugo (the 5th Marvel, Nigeria) and
Sarah (25th Marvel, USA) surrounded
by their class , September 2008
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Kate (the 3rd Marvel) - USA - pictured at Boot Camp 2006 with a 14 year-old Chelsea who became a Marvel in 2010, remains a key part of the team today, and also heads Dream Centre Wales Church!!

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Lotan (the 6th Marvel) - Malawi -
at a Sporting Marvels Adventure
Day in June 2007
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The early Marvels were all from overseas - from left: Eric (USA), Danielle (South Africa), Lotan (Malawi), Christiaan (South Africa), Ugo (Nigeria), Kate (USA), Elroy (South Africa) - pictured, above, in Oct 2005.

The team pictured with their cars, June 2006

Elroy (the 4th Marvel) - South Africa - pictured with a 13 year-old Jody Barnes who became a long serving Marvel, and today, is Rhondda Netball’s Operations Manager!!

In January 2020, Christiaan Welman, the first Marvel, visited us in Rhondda, and spent a week with 2019/20’s home-grown team of Marvels, main pic . Inset right , he’s pictured with Sporting Marvels Managing Director, Lawrie.

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CHAIRMAN’S OVERVIEW FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2021

As a result of the Covid pandemic, there’s no doubting that 2020/21 was the most challenging year in Sporting Marvels’ long history. And, whilst we are grateful for all the incredible support we received throughout the year, which allowed the charity to weather the impact of so many lockdowns and periods of restrictions, and come out the other side, had life not returned to somewhere close to normal in the summer of 2021, there would have been considerable concerns at the end of this year under review.

Thankfully, with the end of the furlough/ flexi-furlough scheme in the minds of many businesses, charities, and local governments around the UK, it was clear that a very challenging 2020/21 was going to give way to a much more normal 2021/22. As such, the charity finished the year under review in a much stronger position

than expected operationally speaking, with the return of our out-of-school Events Programme being the only main aspect of our mission that couldn’t be restarted during the year.

The trustees were particularly pleased to see how the negotiation of such a challenging 2020/21 ended with confirmation that Pontygwaith Primary & Porth Community School (the primary section) would be joining the Mighty Marvels Programme for 2021/22, and the excellent feedback received from Headteachers, parents and pupils regarding our team of Marvels, and the difference they make in the community, was wonderful. Many Headteachers and pupils

also commented on what a huge difference the Marvels had made to so many young lives during the periods of heavy restrictions, and the trustees were thrilled with the extra efforts the team made throughout the year.

From a financial perspective, while the charity did see significant reductions in income across several areas such as events, school donations, and office sharing income, as well as slight reductions in donations and grant funding, the rebates from the Government’s furlough/ flexi-furlough scheme made up for income in these categories being less than normal due to the pandemic and restrictions. The trustees believe the furlough scheme for employees and the SEISS scheme which supported the self-employed individuals who serve the charity, were incredibly important to the charity throughout the year under review.

With the continued support of our financial partners, the charity was fairly well positioned to weather the restrictions and reduction in operational intensity during the year under review. And, at time of writing, this continued support has also enabled the charity to successfully come through further restrictions in this current year following concerns with the Omicron variant around Christmas time, and the charity’s income has rebounded without the Government support that was present for 2019/20 & 2020/21 due to their enforced restrictions on society at large. Total income for the year under review was £232,446, which represented an increase of £5,191 from 2019/20. Total expenditure was £198,630, which was £11,563 less than 2019/20. The savings during the year were mostly due to out-of-school activities not being possible throughout the whole year as a result of Covid restrictions, and staff expenditure reductions based on the use of SEISS etc. More information on this is available in the financial review on pages 29 & 30.

The trustees and Senior Management Team consider it vital for the Marvels to maintain high standards to remain a key part of primary and secondary school life, and everyone is delighted that this was achieved over the course of the year under review despite the various Covid-related challenges. The opportunity to teach young

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The team and several key All-Stars head
off on Boot Camp, September 2020
people about Jesus, Christianity and the Bible in
schools is one that the charity treasures greatly,
and the charity’s unique and professional ap-
proach to doing this has garnered a lot of positive
feedback and interest from around the UK.
From a personnel perspective, the trustees are
pleased that Sporting Marvels has developed a
proven record of equipping young people for
a future in church-based youth work, teaching
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From a personnel perspective, the trustees are pleased that Sporting Marvels has developed a proven record of equipping young people for a future in church-based youth work, teaching with an RE focus, and/or working with young people in a general capacity. Adding credible qualifications - such as the Level 4 in Education & Training - to our personnel development processes has positioned us well to support our missionaries in these early stages of adulthood.

The church was established out of the work of Sporting Marvels and is led by a former Marvel and a Leadership Team of four other Sporting Marvels personnel, supported by numerous volunteers. Sunday services averaged 60+ between 1st September 2019 and 22nd March 2020 before the pandemic struck, and the depth of engagement with young people attending was at an all-time high. Whilst the church struggled to find a suitable venue that would permit norestrictions church returning during 2020/21, the trustees are pleased to report that through Sporting Marvels, a new venue has been secured in partnership with Sporting Marvels as of May 2022, and it is a huge relief for the church to be in control of its own facility for services and meetings. The refurbishment of the new facility should be completed to the required minimum standards by 31st August 2022.

The charity is making good progress against its operational action plan at primary school level, revised during the year under review due to the pandemic and the New Curriculum for Wales. As mentioned, another two new primary schools joined the Mighty Marvels Programme in September 2021, and we are hopeful that our success over these last few years will pave the way to add a new secondary school to our family of partner schools in the near future.

Our next All-Star Leadership Trip to Tanzania, originally scheduled for February 2021, was postponed during the year under review until February 2023. The trustees consider this a prudent decision from the Senior Management Team and are hopeful that there will be no challenges associated with the revised dates.

ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES

Despite it being a separate charity, the trustees were also very pleased with the resilience shown by Dream Centre Wales - our youth-focused partner church - during the year under review.

Philip R Davies Chair of Trustees & Director 29 June 2022

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2021

“Even when us kids went through all those dark times in the pandemic, the Marvels were still able to make us feel loved, cared for, and wanted. I think they’re aboslutely epic and they’re helping us recover because their special brand of fun and happiness seems to be a cure for everything!!” SEREN, MIGHTY MARVELS PUPIL, AGE 11

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The trustees present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ending 31 August 2021.

Trustee meetings are held regularly to discuss risks to the charity and to propose strategies to mitigate future risks.

APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Sporting Marvels was incorporated as a notfor-profit company limited by guarantee on 24 September 2002. Charitable status was granted on 15 January 2004. The charitable company operates under the provisions of the memorandum and articles of association incorporated 24 September 2002, as amended 30 September 2003 and 7 January 2004. The trustees oversee the charitable company while the day-to-day management and operation is carried out by the Managing Director, Team Leaders, and part-time Head of Development.

In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of Sporting Marvels, as well as the requirement for trustees to be in sympathy with the Christian ethos of the organisation.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARITY

The primary objective of Sporting Marvels is to make the church and Christianity in general, and Jesus Christ in particular, relevant to the younger generation in the Rhondda Valleys through the medium of sport and education.

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PUBLIC BENEFIT

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The trustees are satisfied that the charity meets the public benefit requirement through its programmes and activities. Specifically:

The Rosenberg Tests and health and fitness assessments carried out at the beginning and end of the year on the Mighty Marvels Programme show that the programme has a tangible beneficial effect on primary school children’s self-confidence, self-esteem, health, and fitness.

Feedback from primary school Headteachers, parents and pupils confirms the positive effect the Mighty Marvels Programme has on pupil behaviour, confidence, aspirations, and knowledge of Christianity through RE and broader personal and social issues through PSE.

Feedback from secondary school Headteachers testifies to the benefits of the All-Star Leadership Programme, and the support Sporting Marvels personnel bring to schools in terms of aiding and assisting PE staff to excel in their roles. Numerous staff have praised the Marvels’ ability to be intermediaries between staff and pupils, while commenting on the positive impact they have upon pupils’ attitudes and aspirations.

Multi-platform feedback from parents and pupils also shows the effectiveness of Sporting Marvels’ events in providing healthy out-of-school activities which bring Rhondda’s different communities together. The number of current and former All-Star Leaders who now support the work of other charities in the community is incredible. This is particularly evident from a female perspective in respect of the charity, Rhondda Netball. There are also current and former AllStar Leaders supporting the charitable work of Valleys Kids and The Fern Partnership, and this is testament to the developmental work Sporting Marvels is doing with young leaders in its partner secondary schools.

“Lauren is a role model to many at the school, especially the girls! She provides our students with provision, care and support that would otherwise be unattainable without her. We are very grateful for the work of Sporting Marvels and how it’sbenefitted not just the PE department but many at YGCR.”

CRAIG SPANSWICK, HEADTEACHER, PARTNER SECONDARY SCHOOL

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ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE

The following pages highlight the charity’s three key programmes: The Mighty Marvels Programme, The All-Star Leadership Programme and The Training Programme. These pages are followed by details of the Extra Curricular Out-of-school Events programme that supports with the key Programmes. Lastly pages 24-27 highlight the achievements and performance of our partner youth-focused church Dream Centre Wales and our charity Heart For Africa that impacts those most in need in the Arusha area of Tanzania.

MIGHTY MARVELS PROGRAMME

At primary/junior school level, the charity runs the Mighty Marvels Programme for Year 6, with some younger pupils also joining the programme in smaller schools. The programme is fully National Curriculum compliant (Key Stage 2), almost covering the entire National Curriculum across RE, PSE & PE. Lessons are two hours per week in each class, consisting of a one-hour classroom lesson (RE & PSE) and a one-hour sports lesson (PE). The classroom curriculum covers three modules per year, with three separate modules every other year to ensure no child repeats the same material if they are in a ‘top class’ being taught by Sporting Marvels for two years. Year 1 covers The Life of David, The Life of Jesus and The Life of the Church, followed by Year 2, which covers Old Testament

Heroes, New Testament Heroes & Life of a Christian. Our partnership with CBN/Superbook continues and allows Sporting Marvels to utilise the world’s best Bible animation images (see images scattered throughout report) in our Mighty Marvels Journals and other teaching ma-

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80%
SPORTING MARVELS PARTNER SCHOOLS AS
70% A PERCENTAGE OF ALL RHONDDA SCHOOLS
C
60% O
N
50%
F
40% I
R
30%
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20% E
D
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2003/042005/062007/082009/10 2011/12 2013/142015/16 2017/182019/202021/22
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terials. The sports lessons cover six different modules throughout an academic year with focus on health & fitness, invasion games and striking games. All lessons are designed to be fun and engaging whilst teaching important values and principles and improving pupils’ self-confidence, self-esteem and achievement, preparing the youngsters for their transition to secondary school and for the handover to the Sporting Marvels workers there. Our PE lessons are essential in building meaningful relationships with the children we work with, and help to improve our platform of influence and establish our Marvels as genuine role models in their lives. As previously explained (see pages 8-11) the operational goal of Sporting Marvels is to put a positive Christian role model in front of every school pupil aged 1018 in Rhondda and we are delighted to be able to say we currently (as of Sep 2021) partner with 75% of all Rhondda schools (see graph). During the year under review, we were unable to add any new primary schools to our roster due to the disruption to the school year caused by the pandemic. However, we have two new primary schools lined up for a September 2021 start.

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ALL-STAR LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

In the secondary schools that we work with, we are primarily based in the PE faculty even though we also have scope to support RE, PSE and Welsh Baccalaureate. Our All-Star Leadership

Programme enables us to work closely with many of the most influential youngsters in each age/peer group, coaching, mentoring and developing them through their journey through secondary school. Years 7-9 are foundational years where the Marvels build up these young people’s confidence and self-esteem, and develop their raw skills and competencies. In Year 10, those who remain committed start the Leadership Academy stage which runs until they leave school. Over the years, we’ve developed this programme in partnership with secondary schools so that it sees us facilitate the development of the ‘more able and talented’

pupils in the PE faculties, and this has resulted in our programmes being the primary delivery mechanism for schools looking to fulfil this obligation in their PE departments.

Although we work with pupils throughout the school day in secondary schools, much of our interaction with the young people we work with takes place outside of curriculum time; at events, lunch time, after school clubs, etc. Everything we do is totally transparent from an educational and parental point of view, and each pupil we work with has copies of our brochures and In Focus magazine. Parents of All-Star pupils continue to be among our most vocal supporters, and the interest among 15/16 year-olds in undertaking work experience with us and joining our Training Programme in the future is at an all-time high.

This programme also has the added dynamic of taking sixth-formers to Tanzania, East Africa. These trips give pupils the opportunity to experience what life is like in one of the poorest parts of the world. By engaging with orphanages, schools and church communities they then play a small part in projects aimed at having a sustainable impact on those in need. This is done in partnership with Heart for Africa (UK Reg’d Charity No. 1173027) which was set up in May 2017 to make an ongoing difference to lives in Tanzania - see pages 26 &27.

The All-Star Leadership Programme once completed by the All-Star makes a staggering difference, and we know it’s helped many in their next steps whether that be in continued education, job interviews, etc.

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“The pupils absolutely love Sporting Marvels and being able to see them, speak to them and engage with them has been essential during this incredibly challenging year. The impact they have is extraordinary and they play an integral role at Ysgol Nantgwyn, we simply would not be without them!” KIRSTY RETALLICK, HEADTEACHER, PARTNER SECONDARY SCHOOL

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TRAINING PROGRAMME

Our Training Programme for school-leavers was formally launched in September 2016 after a number of successful years improving how the charity develops people. Whilst preparing young people for Christian mission work, the programme enables participants to acquire teaching qualifications (QCF Levels 3 & 4), sports coaching awards (UKCC Levels 1 & 2), and experience in preparing and leading

QUALIFICATIONS

Year 1: DBS Check First Aid at Work Safeguarding Children & Young People Level 2

Education Workforce Council Membership Level 3 in Teaching & Learning (TA) UKCC Level 1 Sports Coaching

Year 2: OE Mental Health Children & Adolescents UKCC Level 2 Sports Coaching

Year 3: Level 4 Education & Training (HLTA)

Additional: Level 2/3 Instructing Exercise & Fitness Level 2/3 Fitness Instructing Level 3 Personal Training

Level 3 Children’s Care Learning & Development Level 1 Netball Umpiring

Level 3 Health & Social Care (Children & Young People) BA (HONS) Primary Education Studies BSC (HONS) Psychology LLB (HONS) Law

classroom RE and PSE lessons and children’s events, including developing video resources. The programme takes a minimum of two years to complete to Level 4 status, but as enrolment on the Level 4 in Education & Training is subject to application, most trainees will complete our Training Programme over three years. Four trainees have now progressed successfully through the programme to full Marvel status, with a further two partway through the

programme and progressing well. We are encouraging sixth formers with a possible interest in becoming Marvels to join us for work experience while still at school/college, as their timetables allow – this has resulted in three of our outstanding All-Stars being committed to starting their training in September 2021. We hope that this work experience pathway will increase potential trainees’ understanding of our work and what is expected of them as a Marvel, decreasing the likelihood of new starters dropping out of the programme. The programme is still attracting substantial interest among those we work with in the 15/16 age group, and their parents, and we are confident that through our Training Programme we will be able to grow and maintain our team at a size that will allow us to achieve our aim of reaching every Rhondda school.

When a pupil of high academic ability shows interest in Sporting Marvels, some parents are concerned as they would prefer their child to go to university. We believe that it is possible to do both (as Managing Director Lawrie Davies did, gaining a Law Degree while working as a Marvel) and are fully supportive of any Marvels who want to extend their learning and improve their qualifications. So, over the year under review, we have liaised with local educational institutions to find part-time courses that could fit around a Marvel’s timetable, as well as investigating suitable Open University courses. Two Marvels will be starting part-time Open University Degree courses in October 2021, one in Psychology (BSc) and one in Primary Education (BA), both of which ideally complement their roles in the team. The aim is for them to complete their degrees within 6 years. We believe that this could be an attractive option for some of our All-Stars (and their parents) to consider, not least because they will avoid the level of debt incurred by being a full-time student.

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While the
first Marvels
were all from
overseas (see
pages 10 & 11),
1 the impact of
Sporting
4 Marvels
3 created a new
2 generation
of positive
Christian role
models; from
influenced
to influencers!
Here’s 8, from
top left ...
8
1 Sam
2 Naomi
5 6 3 Lauren
4 Deanna
7
5 Taylar
6 Hiedi
7 Lucy
8 Connah
----- End of picture text -----

CASE STUDY: Connah Evans

Connah was one of the first 3 trainees on our formal Training Programme. A keen rugby player, he achieved Level 1 in Rugby Union Coaching during his first year, QCF Level 3 in January 2018, and Level 4 in July 2019. Connah is now a Senior Marvel, leading our Mighty Marvels work in 5 schools. He has established excellent

relationships with staff and pupils, while also achieving a Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy which enables him to earn additional money outside of Sporting Marvels. He aspires to progress to secondary school work on our All-Star Leadership programme, and to one day become a Sporting Marvels Team Leader.

“The Marvels have been so responsive to our Wellbeing agenda this year, they have helped counsel the pupils during this anxious time – unprecedented in education history. Connah, who we are extremely lucky to have, has led both classes superbly this year, demonstrating maturity, empathy, and patience way beyond his years.” IAN EVANS, HEADTEACHER, PARTNER PRIMARY SCHOOL

21

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES & EVENTS PROGRAMME

In normal years, Sporting Marvels runs an out-of-school Events Programme including SummerCamp, Christmas Parties, end-of year Presentation Evenings, and half-term events such as Water Day and Head-2-Head. These can attract 250+ children and are a great catalyst in establishing closer relationships with the children we teach.

During the year under review, COVID-19 restrictions on social contact and mass events meant that our Events Programme was totally cancelled. So, especially during the times of school closures, the Marvels redoubled their efforts to engage with pupils online through social media, online Zoom quizzes, competitions and other activities. Headteacher feedback in our end-of-year appraisals, shows how much our partner schools (and their pupils) appreciated the efforts we made to do this. Toward the very end of the school year, our All-Star after-school clubs were allowed to restart at Ysgol Nantgwyn and Ysgol Cwm Rhondda, though only in school year ‘bubbles’. The staff at Ysgol Nantgwyn also requested an ‘Adventure Day’ for their year 4, 5 & 6 pupils (see photos right and below).

“We held online lessons during the lockdowns, and the Marvels attended – this massively boosted the children’s morale.”

CERIAN ROBERTS, HEADTEACHER, PARTNER PRIMARY SCHOOL

“This pandemic has made everyone so miserable, but the Marvels just light up our lives and help us have a better I-can-do-this attitude!” LACIE, MIGHTY MARVELS PUPIL, AGED 10

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UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO EVENTS DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, DUE TO COVID/RESTRICTIONS

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CHURCH YOUTH WORK: DCW CHURCH PARTNERSHIP

Prior to Covid-19, Sunday attendance at our partner youth-focused church, Dream Centre Wales (DCW), depth of engagement, and numbers in the small group ‘Crews’ were on the rise. In early 2020, prior to lockdown the average Sunday attendance was over 60 for the first time in DCW’s history. However unfortunately, DCW has not been able to hold Sunday services during the year under review due to the fact that the weekly venue DCW use is a public facility, a local

College that has remained closed. Throughout the year, the Marvels have continued to support Chelsea Davies - pictured above right - the church leader, in connecting with and encouraging the church’s members through Zoom and social media. Hope Hampers continued to be distributed throughout the year, as great partners CBN continued to help support DCW carry out the Community Giveaway. Chelsea

along with DCW volunteers worked together with the aim of impacting the community at such a difficult time for so many families. Special hampers, gifts and cards were given to over 100 people of the Rhondda for occasions such as Mothers’ Day, Easter etc. DCW is delighted to have the opportunity to move into its own facility, secured in partnership with Sporting Marvels. The team are planning for a September start, with Sunday services supplemented by small group meetings and outdoor activities to boost reengagement. The Marvels and Chelsea are hopeful that overtime DCW will rebuild the attendance and engagement to prior Covid-19 and that they will see a full return to the special events that so many of the DCW members look forward to such as Baptisms, Football Tour and the Summer Dream Girls Conference.

----- Start of picture text -----
MEMBERSHIP OF A CHURCH
OR RELIGIOUS GROUP
----- End of picture text -----*

*** University of Essex (2019) : Understanding Society...University of Essex, Institute for Social and Economic Research, NatCen Social Research, Kantar Public. (2019). Understanding Society: Waves 1-9, 2009-2018 and Harmonised BHPS: Waves 1-18, 1991-2009. [data collection]. 12th Edition. UK Data Service. SN: 6614, http://doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-6614-13** .

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ORPHANAGES & SCHOOLS OUTREACH: HEART FOR AFRICA PARTNERSHIP

Heart for Africa was created in 2017 as a charity that could impact those most in need in the Arusha area of Tanzania, outside of Sporting Marvels biennial All-Star trips. Through these trips, Sporting Marvels has developed longstanding links with orphanages, schools, churches and communities, and the team felt a strong desire to provide them with more sustained support without placing a financial burden on Sporting Marvels. Lawrie Davies (Managing Director of Sporting Marvels) is Chair of Trustees, while Sporting Marvels Team Leaders Lauren Smith and Ian Smith, and Sporting Marvels’ part-time Head of Development Fiona Davies, are also trustees.

Heart for Africa’s team of five Community Coordinators in Arusha identify needs and act as a link between the charity and its beneficiaries, also helping to organise Sporting Marvels trips and being part of Sporting Marvels’ prayer partner network. Heart for Africa’s work focuses on education, supporting orphans and other children/young people in need to attend school/ college, and on prevention or relief of poverty, by providing grants, items and services to individuals and communities in need. Heart for Africa aims to undertake one major project each year, and has successfully carried out the first two of these. For their third project, Heart for Africa will be partnering with a community

women’s group, investing in female small business owners to enable them to increase their profits, 30% of which will be reinvested in other women starting new businesses, and in meeting educational/training needs of community members. The vision is to kick-start a cycle of reinvestment, benefitting the whole community and enable them to improve their standard of living. Heart for Africa receives ongoing support from Sporting Marvels (£100pm) and Dream Centre Wales. Several young people associated with Sporting Marvels support Heart for Africa through sponsored events, regular donations, and filling change collection boxes. With schools closed in November 2020, the Marvels and some All-Stars threw themselves wholeheartedly into Heart for Africa’s ‘November Challenge’ fundraiser, running a total of over 2000 miles and raising over £3,000 for Heart for Africa’s work. A record number of All-Stars and Marvels are interested in the next Tanzania trip, which will hopefully take place in 2023.

Heart for Africa’s third major project will be to support a Women’s Group in Muriet to upscale their small businesses, empowering them to give back to the community. Here’s Lauren with some of the group members, on our last visit to Tanzania in 2019.

26

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

The trustees are pleased to report that income for the year under review was £232,446 which represented an increase of £5,191 on the previous year. However, the trustees and the Managing Director had anticipated - due to Covid - almost every category of income being down for the year under review. This was in fact the case, with over half of 2020/21 taking place under lockdowns or heavy restrictions which significantly undermined the charity’s ability to attract and generate income. The reason this did not lead to an overall drop in income was simply due to the Government’s Covid support schemes such as furlough/flexi-furlough, which were used extensively throughout the year under review given that the lockdowns and restrictions were Government-enforced, effectively wiping out everything other than our core schools work for the entire year. This scheme rebated expenditure, creating a category of income for this year (as well as the previous year at a lesser level from April 2020) that was pandemic specific. As a result of this scheme and the ongoing support of our longstanding partners and supporters, despite the expected drops in income across the board, the charity was able to hold its ground and come through the year strongly.

Expenditure for the period was £198,630 which represented a decrease of £11,563 compared to the previous year, and a decrease of over £35,000 compared to the charity’s last “normal year”. This was mainly due to a decrease in staff costs as a result of the furlough/flexi-furlough scheme being benchmarked around the 80% mark for employees, as well as the impact the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

had on the charity’s costs. Several individuals who serve Sporting Marvels, in order to remain committed to Sporting Marvels on a lower-paid missionary basis, also work for other charities and businesses (also on a self-employed basis) in order to increase their own incomes. The SEISS scheme provided self-employed workers with direct grants when these individuals were no longer needed to work as often as before the pandemic, thereby lowering the expenditure for the entities they would have worked for in normal times. The expenditure total for the year under review also included depreciation, on motor vehicles and computer equipment, of £2,300.

Much like the end of 2019/20, the Bible Giveaway and numerous other incomegenerating events were not able to take place during the year under review. And, as well as this, with the Government support schemes such as furlough and SEISS in place, many trusts & foundations chose to focus their resources on frontline Covid response activities where protections from these schemes didn’t apply, both in the UK and abroad.

The trustees were pleased that despite the charity effectively registering reduced income for the period when taking out Government Covid support, the organisation ended the year under review knowing that 2021/22 was set to be much more normal. This, along with the corresponding reduction in costs which created a surplus for the year, enabled the Senior Management Team to focus its efforts

29

on restarting all its programmes and activities in order to rebuild the fundraising platform. All of this allowed the charity to end the year under review in a strong position ready to rebuild from the most challenging ofyears. The fact that the current year started with the addition of two new primary schools joining the Mighty Marvels Programme and a new £10,000 grant, was further evidence of the year under review ending strongly following Mark Drakeford’s August 2021 announcement that all Covid restrictions (other than facemasks) were to be removed in Wales.

During the year under review, the charity increased its Government-backed Bounce Back Loan to £48,000. Repayments for this are fixed at 2.5% over ten years and the trustees are pleased that the Government, in recognition of the lockdowns and periods of restrictions they ordered, made these loans accessible to charities like ours. This Bounce Back Loan effectively provided an extra layer of security in what was a very concerning time for charities and businesses whose operations involved people mixing, often in very large numbers.

Income from school donations totalled £4,000 for the year, a £3,000 decrease from the previous year as a result of the pandemic. However, at time of writing, over £7,000 has been received during 2021/22, demonstrating a full recovery for this income stream and how highly valued Sporting Marvels is by the schools we work with. We believe it’s important that partner schools are appreciative of the work Sporting Marvels does with their pupils, and this figure is evidence of this.

From an expenditure point of view, the trustees are delighted with the excellent efficiencies the Manging Director built in prior to and during the pandemic. The charity has grown its charitable operation significantly over the last few years and costs have not risen anywhere near as much as they were projected to.

The trustees were particularly pleased with the balance sheet going into the next period due to the significant reduction in expenditure during the year under review. This compared positively against the reserves policy and as a result, the trustees consider that the charity can continue to operate as a going concern.

Further to the above review, the trustees are pleased to report that income for the current year, 2021/22, which unlike the previous two years has operated without Government Covid schemes support, has nearly rebounded back to where it was prior to the pandemic. As long as the charity is successful with its grant-funding efforts during Jun/Jul/Aug 2022, at a similar level to what it received in 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 & 2019/20, the charity will have demonstrated a full financial recovery from Covid. However, with inflation, rising interest rates and the costof-living crisis causing great concern for the UK economically speaking, there will be many charities around the UK concerned at what this could all mean from a medium-term and long-term financial point of view. Nevertheless, the trustees and Senior Management Team will continue to work hard to not only sustain the charity’s programmes and activities which impact thousands of Rhondda children each week, but grow its influence and impact.

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“Sporting Marvels is the best thing about school because everything else is so boring. You’ve helped change hundreds and hundreds of lives, including mine, and made Rhondda a much better place. I’ve thought that I would like to be a Marvel for a while but now I know. I definitely want to be a Marvel when I’m older and help loads of Rhondda kids in the same way you’ve helped me.” LILIA, MIGHTY MARVELS PUPIL, AGED 11

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FUNDRAISING

The aims of Sporting Marvels are realised by raising funds from individuals, trusts, foundations, churches, partner schools, events, and other activities, and principally using these funds to empower our positive Christian role models to impact school and community life. As such, fundraising is a key element of our operations. The day-to-day fundraising processes such as making funding applications are primarily undertaken by our part-time Head of Development & Managing Director and function in line with the overall financial strategy. The Managing Director has oversight of all fundraising functions and commits time to key applications and relationship-building with potential donors, whilst our Founder & Chairman also commits substantial amounts of time to the charity’s fundraising processes on a voluntary basis. With £25,973 of direct fundraising costs against a total income of £232,446 during the year under review, the trustees are of the opinion that the charity was once again very efficient on the fundraising front. Fundraising was particularly challenging during the year under review, and the trustees are grateful to every supporter who helped the charity fight through a year where much of the organisation’s day to day activities were hindered by Covid restrictions. This made fundraising all the more difficult for the offfield team during the year under review, as they were mostly requesting support for the charity to hold its ground and remain solid.

STAFF REMUNERATION

Staff remuneration is reviewed each year and the Managing Director makes recommenda¬tions to trustees based on the charity’s targets and accompanying financial strategy.

The organisation continues to operate with a missionary heart and aims to preserve this with personnel support packages.

During the year:

1 staff member support package fell within the £20,000 - £24,999 band.

2 staff member support packages fell within the £15,000 - £19,999 band.

All other personnel support packages (volunteer, part-time and full-time) fell within the £0 - £14,999 band.

During the year under review, the charity utilised the Government’s furlough scheme for employees and self-employed personnel leaned on the Government’s SEISS scheme where required. Both schemes directly and indirectly saved the charity large amounts of money in the lockdowns and periods of restrictions, which had a significant negative impact on the charity’s income streams during the year.

No trustees were paid.

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RELATED PARTIES

Founder & Chairman, Phil Davies is the father of Managing Director, Lawrie Davies and as such, is not party to any discussions or decisionmaking surrounding his remuneration.

The trustees consider that the charities, Dream Centre Wales & Rhondda Netball, are related parties due to the involvement of Sporting Marvels personnel in these charities. Office costs for the period, including space, gas, electricity, water, phones, internet, software, paper and other office materials, office-based printing etc, were shared with these charities where Lawrie Davies has significant influence. As the longest established entity, Sporting Marvels acted as the primary account holder for all the various costs, and income was received from the other two charities. These arrangements had the effect of saving all three charities thousands of pounds across the year, providing significant all-round benefit. However, as Dream Centre Wales benefited from donated personnel time from Sporting Marvels, the trustees considered part of the income from this charity as a donation.

The trustees also consider the charity, Heart for Africa, to be a related party due to the involvement of Sporting Marvels personnel in setting up and running this charity. As this charity runs a small UK-based operation which

manages a Tanzania-based operation, Sporting Marvels donated office space and materials. There was no way to quantify the exact value of this, but the trustees do not estimate this to be over £1,000 for the year under review.

DONATED SERVICES

Founder & Chairman, Phil Davies, continued to give a full-time commitment to the charity for no remuneration during the year under review. The value of this cannot be overstated and his heart to do this after so many years is one of the key reasons the charity is able to keep certain core costs to a minimum.

During the period, True Vine Media Ltd, where Phil Davies has significant influence and control, also donated a significant amount of FOC design time to the charity. This enabled the charity to produce high quality and professional materials - both in-school and as part of our fundraising activities - for no design cost. As a Christian charity in one of the most deprived regions in the UK, this is incredibly helpful. It makes our programmes more impressive to educationalists, and it also helps us attract the attention of prospective supporters who are impressed with what we’re able to teach based on how our materials can convey this. The business also provided trade printing costs to the charity, enabling the charity to save thousands of pounds on materials throughout the period.

“Lauren/Smithy... Thank you so much for everything you do for me!! Through you, Sporting Marvels - and the All-Star Programme in particular - have played a MASSIVE part in my life in so many different ways. I can’t put into words how grateful it makes me feel, but THANK YOU!!” KRYSTAL, ALL-STAR LEADER, AGED 17

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PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The charity had originally developed a clear Operational Action Plan through to the end of the 2023/24 academic year. This was revised during the year under review as a result of the Covid pandemic, and has been extended to cover 2024/25. This Operational Action Plan defines the charity’s plans for

growth, in terms of both partner schools and personnel, for each accounting period, which it is hoped will culminate in the realisation of the vision to see every Rhondda school partnering with Sporting Marvels. Due to the pandemic and its far-reaching impact on life and society at large, the original plan was effectively extended by one year, as it was impossible to make the required arrangements to take on a new secondary school for September 2021 when it was unclear whether Sporting Marvels would even

be able to deliver its programmes at the start of this year. As it happened, normality returned in September 2021 and other than the Omicron scare, Covid has had a minimal impact on operations through 2021/22 thus far. In fact, the charity has been more successful operationally speaking during this year compared to any previous year.

The plan for 2021/22 onwards is to continue to succeed in respect of school and Headteacher feedback, impressing with the team’s professionalism and willingness to adapt to the impact Covid has had on many young lives, all whilst building the team ready for further growth in September 2022.

At this time, the charity hopes to partner with one more secondary school and one more primary school in September 2022, while also adding at least one new intern

onto our Training Programme. The charity will also be aiming to further improve structure and efficiencies, with the aim of keeping total annual costs as low as possible, in order to negotiate any challenging months resulting from the financial concerns around the UK on the back of the pandemic and most recently, the Ukraine war.

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ambitious, capable learners who ...

set themselves high standards and seek and enjoy challenge are building up a body of knowledge and have the skills to connect and apply that knowledge in different contexts are questioning and enjoy solving problems can communicate effectively in different forms and settings, using both Welsh and English can explain the ideas and concepts they are learning about can use number effectively in different contexts understand how to interpret data and apply mathematical concepts use digital technologies creatively to communicate, find and analyse information undertake research and evaluate critically what they find

...and are ready to learn healthy, confident individuals who... throughout their lives enterprising, creative contributors who... have secure values and are establishing their spiritual and ethical beliefs are building their mental and emotional well-being by connect and apply their knowledge and skills to create ideas developing confidence, resilience and empathy and products apply knowledge about the impact of diet and exercise on think creatively to reframe and solve problems physical and mental health in their daily lives know how to find the information and support to keep safe and well identify and grasp opportunities take part in physical activity take measured risks take measured decisions about lifestyle and manage risk lead and play different roles in teams effectively and responsibly have the confidence to participate in performance form positive relationships based upon trust and mutual respect express ideas and emotions through different media face and overcome challenge give of their energy and skills so that other people will benefit have the skills and knowledge to manage everyday life as independently as they can ...and are ready to lead fulfilling lives ...and are ready to play a full part in life and work as valued members of society ethical, informed citizens who... find, evaluate and use evidence in forming views engage with contemporary issues based upon their knowledge and values understand and exercise their human and democratic responsibilities and rights understand and consider the impact of their actions when making choices and acting are knowledgeable about their culture, community, society and the world, now and in the past respect the needs and rights of others, as a member of a diverse society show their commitment to the sustainability of the planet ...and are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world From left - Liam, Liss & Ashleigh - Outstanding All-Stars who have been involved with Sporting Marvels since they were 10 years old. They joined as interns in September 2021.

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RISK ASSESSMENT

The trustees are aware of factors both within and outside the charity’s control that are relevant to the achievement of its objectives including relationships with employees, key partners and funders and have a risk management strategy in place which comprises:

A review of the risks at each trustee meeting.

The establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified.

The implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.

PRINCIPAL RISKS & UNCERTAINTIES

At the time of writing, the timescale of the UK’s full recovery from the Covid pandemic is still a little uncertain, with worries over the cost of living and inflation dominating news headlines. Thankfully, following the success of the vaccination programme, all Covid restrictions were removed in August 2021. However, if further lockdowns or periods of restrictions are

announced, particularly if this is without accompanying support as with the furlough/SEISS schemes, this could have a negative effect on the charity financially speaking. The trustees would hope that if the Government does implement more lockdowns, it will also reimplement the furlough/flexi-furlough and SEISS schemes in order to support charities and businesses whose income streams are harmed as a result.

Sporting Marvels relies on income affected by the economic climate and Government spending policies. Fluctuations in these spending patterns may adversely affect the level of funding available to supporters of the charity. In consideration of this risk, and in the knowledge of how inflation and the cost of living have become prominent concerns throughout 2021/22, we continue to seek support from a wide range of sources to minimise the impact from this risk.

The trustees have identified the individual donor base to be made up mostly of people aged 55+ and new donors aren’t of a young age. The charity has not found it easy to engage new younger donors, and while this may be a reflection of the giving trends of modern-day young people, it is important that the trustees and Senior Management Team are able to be innovative in attracting new support.

After raising the required income to keep the charity in a position to not only sustain its operations, but grow its reach and influence for 2021/22 onwards, developing people and personnel sustainability is the next toughest challenge we face. This was the reason for creating our Training Programme. Sporting Marvels workers are encouraged to identify

36

potential future Marvels during their time on the All-Star Leadership Programme and make some of them aware of the Training Programme as an option when they leave school. However, well-paid apprenticeships for school leavers are more popular than ever in the Valleys since some secondary schools have become 3-16 schools, which creates a natural change in environment after Year 11. It will be important for the Senior Management Team to mitigate against the increased competition.

In an area as deprived as the Rhondda Valleys, keeping costs to a minimum is imperative to the charity’s success. The Managing Director has devoted a lot of time over the last few years to creating an efficient operation without sacrificing the quality of provision which is so important in maintaining Sporting Marvels’ reputation. On top of this, several personnel are self-employed so they can earn extra money from doing work with other charities or businesses. It is possible that in the future Sporting Marvels will need to commit more resources to

keeping its best people suitably motivated as most of them could earn more money outside of serving the charity. However, the Christian cause is already the main driving force for all key personnel, so we hope to be able to continue to monitor and manage this risk effectively moving forward.

CHILD PROTECTION & SAFEGUARDING

Sporting Marvels takes child protection & safeguarding very seriously. We review and modify our Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy annually. The most important aspect of our policy is to ensure that all our schools’ workers possess an up-to-date, enhanced DBS check and acquire a “Safeguarding Children & Young People Level 2” certificate. This ensures that all personnel in contact with children are fully trained to handle the same kind of child protection issues as a qualified teacher. Due to the position of influence our Marvels have in the lives of young people, it is important that our team follow our policies and procedures so as not to put themselves or the charity at risk.

“The Mighty Marvels lesson content is really excellent and carefully structured. There’s lots of visual learning and group discussions, and the Marvels are always extremely well-prepared and organised. Without fail, their energy and enthusiasm lifts the pupils into a positive mindset and shows the children that learning can be fun. We’re excited at the way they’ve brought a different dimension to virtually every aspect of school life.” CAROL FLANARY-DAVIES, HEADTEACHER, PARTNER PRIMARY SCHOOL

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STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the movement in funds of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charity legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies.

ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES

Philip R. Davies – Chair of Trustees & Director Approved by the trustees on 27 May 2022

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SPORTING MARVELS

I report on the accounts for the period ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages 39 to 43.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.

The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of the independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

John Smart Chartered Accountant New Park Terrace Treforest Pontypridd CF37 1TH

27 May 2022

39

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2021

Year Ended Year Ended
31.8.21 31.8.20
Notes £ £
INCOMING RESOURCES
Charitable income 232,446 227,255
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Direct charitable expenditure 198,630 210,193
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 3 33,816 17,062
Transfer - Contingency fund - -
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE PERIOD 33,816 17,062

“The children have been impacted greatly by the pandemic and associated lockdowns, and the Sporting Marvels lessons have been even more excitedly looked forward to as a result! The Marvels are always excellent role models for our pupils and especially so this year, their constant enthusiasm and effervescence has been a significant support to our school during such challenging times. They truly are an inspiration!”

CHRISTIAN COOLE, HEADTEACHER, PARTNER PRIMARY SCHOOL

40

BALANCE SHEET - 31 AUGUST 2021

g
2021
Notes
£
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
6
6,750
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
8
3,138
Cash at bank
112,895
Cash at bank – restricted fund
7,000
123,033
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
9
6,164
NET CURRENT ASSETS
116,869
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
123,619
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after one year
Bank Loan
(41,500)
82,119
NET ASSETS
RESERVES
General reserves
10
75,119
Restricted reserves
10
7,000
82,119		 2020
£
8,656
62,351
-
71,007
18,304		 £
10,000
52,703
62,703
(14,400)
48,303
48,303
-
48,303

The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2021.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2021 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:

P R Davies – Chair of Trustees & Director

41

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2021

1. STATUTORY INFORMATION

Sporting Marvels Ltd is a charity and private company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The company’s registered number and registered office address can be found on the Charity Information page.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 1A “Small Entities” of Financial Reporting Standard 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Funds

The layout of the financial statements follows the statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting for Charities”. This layout introduced terms “Restricted” and “Unrestricted” funds. Restricted funds are those received for specific purposes. The trustees are of the opinion that all funds received are unrestricted funds, and are available to meet all of the company’s aims and objectives, except where specifically stated.

Reserves

Fund balances consist mainly of unrestricted funds are available to meet all of the company’s aims and objectives. The trustees aim that unrestricted funds not committed or invested in fixed assets (free reserves) held by the charity should equate to between 3 to 6 months of resources expended. At this level the trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in the level of funding. At the end of the year under review, reserves had met the minimum side of this target.

Fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rate in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life: Fixtures, Vehicles, Computers - at varying rates on cost.

3. INCOMING RESOURCES

The incoming resources and expenditure of the charity are attributable to the principal aims and activities of the charity.

4. NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

The net movement in funds is stated after charging:

The net movement in funds is stated after charging:
Year Ended Year ended
31.8.21 31.8.20
£ £
Depreciation and loss on disposals - owned assets 2,250 3,650
Trustees' emoluments and other benefits etc - -

5. TAXATION

Analysis of the tax charge

No liability to UK corporation tax arose on ordinary activities for the year ended 31 August 2021, or for the year ended 31 August 2020, due to the charitable nature of the activities undertaken.

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6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Plant and
machinery
etc
£
COST
At 1 September 2020 53,600
Additions -
Disposals **(2,600) **
At 31 August 2021 51,000
DEPRECIATION
At 1 September 2020 43,600
Charge for year 2,250
Eliminated on disposal **(1,600) **
At 31 August 2021 44,250
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 August 2021 6,750
At 31 August 2020 10,000
7. EMPLOYEES
The average monthly number of employees, during the year were 8
8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2021 2020
£ £
Gift Aid recoverable - 769
Covid support grants 3,138 4,004
Other debtors ~~-~~ ~~3,883~~
~~3,138~~ ~~8,656~~
9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2021 2020
£ £
Taxation and social security 164 4
Other creditors - 1,200
Bank loan 6,000 3,600
Deferred grants ~~-~~ ~~13,500~~
~~6,164~~ ~~18,304~~
10. RESERVES
General Restricted
reserves reserves Totals
£ £ £
At 1 September 2020 48,303 - 48,303
Movement for the period 26,816 26,816
Movement for the period – restricted funds ~~-~~ ~~7,000~~ ~~7,000~~
At 31 August 2021 ~~75,119~~ ~~7,000~~ ~~82,119~~

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OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2021

£ 100,000 £ 90,000 £ 80,000 £ 70,000 £ 60,000 £ 50,000 £ 40,000 £ 30,000 £ 20,000 £ 10,000

Categories Year ending
31 Aug 2021		 Year ending
31 Aug 2020
Trusts & Foundations (unrestricted)
Trusts & Foundations (restricted)
Individuals
Government Covid Support Schemes
Organisations, Churches & Ministries
Offce Sharing Income
Gift Aid
School Donations & Sponsorship
Bible Giveaway & Other Events
Sundry Receipts		 60,126
8,500
50,170
48,175
37,195
14,400
9,880
4,000
0
0
£		 64,650
0
55,449
32,324
29,760
18,900
10,532
7,000
8,640
0
£
£232,446 £227,255

Trusts & Individuals Government Organisations, Office Gift Aid Trusts & School Bible Sundry Foundations Covid Support Churches & Sharing Foundations Donations & Giveaway & Receipts (unrestricted) Schemes Ministries Income (restricted) Sponsorship Other Events

With the year under review taking place under the umbrella of the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated and ever-changing restrictions, the trustees have prepared a more detailed Financial Review on pages 29 & 30.

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OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2021

£ 100,000 £ 90,000 £ 80,000 £ 70,000 £ 60,000 £ 50,000 £ 40,000 £ 30,000 £ 20,000 £ 10,000

Categories Year ending
31 Aug 2021		 Year ending
31 Aug 2020
Mighty Marvels Programme
All-Star Leadership Programme
Training Programme
All Fundraising Activities & Costs
Offce Rent & Utilities
Events, Bible Giveaway & Pre-paid Events
for the following year
Accountancy, Bookkeeping & Financial Support
Church Youth Work & Mission
East Africa Schools & Orphanages Work
Covid Bounce Back Loan interest
Depreciation of Tangible Fixed Assets
(Motor Vehicles & Computer Equipment)		 75,322
44,483
19,772
25,873
16,501
2,170
6,690
4,126
1,400
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2,250
£		 77,463
54,792
14,000
20,012
14,133
13,718
8,425
4,000
0
0
3,650
£
£198,630 £210,193

Mighty All-Star All Training Office Rent Accountancy, Church Depreciation Events, Bible East Africa Covid Marvels Leadership Fundraising Programme & Utilities Bookkeeping Youth Work of Tangible Giveaway Schools & Bounce Programme Programme Activities & Financial & Mission Fixed Assets & Prepaid Orphanages Back Loan & Costs Support Events for Work Interest following year

With the year under review taking place under the umbrella of the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated and ever-changing restrictions, the trustees have prepared a more detailed Financial Review on pages 29 & 30.

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