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2024-2025 Registered Charity No. 520920 CELEBRATING INVESTING IN YOUNG PEOPLE FOR OVER 90 YEARS **----- Start of picture text -----**
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DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS (Covering County Durham, South Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley) **Affiliated to the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs and World Youth Clubs** Honorary Life President: Lady Sarah Nicholson President: Frank Nicholson, D.L., Vice Presidents: Ian Dewhirst, Sir R.S. Murray, C.B.E, Shona Harper-Wilkes BA (Hons) DL, Harry Banks, OBE, DL, FRICS, Mike Barton, C.B.E, QPM, LLB, DL, Pam Royle BA (Hons) LLCM (TD), DL Chair: Claire Errington Vice Chair: Ray Knox Honorary Treasurer: TBC Executive Committee: L. Todd, G. Lee, J. Colling, J. Charlton, R. Duggan, M. McCormack Honorary Solicitor: McKenzie Bell & Sons, 19 John Street, Sunderland Independent Examiner: Michael Kirkley County Office: Old Court House, Newcastle Road, Chester le Street, Co. Durham DH3 3UA Telephone: (0191) 3831894 **----- Start of picture text -----**
E mail: dabgc@btconnect.com
Website: http://www.dabgc.co.uk
Executive Youth Officers:
Alan Watson, M.B.E, B.E.M and Simon Healey, MSc
Executive Support Officer: Angela Rennison
Administration Support:
Lesley Foster
Kyle Stafford
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## **FOREWORD 2024/25** and opportunities for our young people. I also need to give a special mention about our Honorary Life President Sir Paul Nicholson, who passed away this year. He gave so much to the Association over several decades and will be sadly missed. I would also like to thank members of our Executive Committee, our Executive Youth Officers Alan Watson and Simon Healey, together with our Executive Support Officer Angela Rennison, for their continued support and commitment throughout the year. It gives me great pleasure to present to you the Durham Association of Boys and Girls Clubs Annual Report for 2024/25. You will read in the report the many events that have continued to support young people, enabling them to enjoy the sports they love, and to try new challenges. Special mention must go to our volunteers, who work tirelessly in our affiliated clubs to ensure young people can access the activities available to them. Without our volunteers none of this would be possible. Finally, I would like to extend special thanks to our President, Frank Nicholson, for his ongoing commitment, enthusiasm, and valuable support to the Association. You will read of the many successes our young people have achieved, at county, regional and national events, some truly outstanding performances. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our loyal supporters whose valuable contributions ensure we can continue to provide activities, events, **Claire Errington** Chair ## **FINANCE REPORT 2024/25** The Association’s financial position is detailed in the Financial Statements for the period ended 31st March 2025. This year the Association has reported a loss of £1789.69 compared to a surplus of £21114 for the previous financial year. Income was £79737 compared to £112751 for 2023/24, around 87% of this comes from subscriptions & donations. All donations are received with thanks; without them the services we provide would be greatly restricted. Expenditure has reduced to £81,526 from £91,637 the previous year, due to a reduction of a member of staff. There were some one-off expenses included in this figure. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Michael Kirtley, the Independent Finance Examiner of the Association accounts, who has made no charge for his services. The Association’s financial policies have been revised and adopted by the Trustees which will continue to ensure that the Association’s financial processes follow guidance recommended by the Charity Commission. The policies will be reviewed regularly and updated as required. The Trustees continue to work hard to ensure that the many activities and events provided by DABGC are made available to as many young people as possible across County Durham and the surrounding areas. Reserves remain healthy meaning the Association is still in a strong financial position. ## **DABGC VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS** ## **VISION** **To be the best provider of sporting activities and events for all young people in County Durham, South Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley.** ## **MISSION** **To encourage and provide all young people from clubs affiliated to the Durham Association of Boys and Girls Clubs, access to opportunities at Inter-Club, County, Regional, National and international level, so that they may increase their personal and social development skills, thus, enabling them to fulfil their potential and become responsible citizens within their local community.** _Invest in Young People - it lasts a lifetime_ ## **AIMS AND OBJECTIVES** 1. To foster and support the development of all young people and new clubs in areas of need. 2. To support and develop existing clubs and their voluntary management. 3. To present opportunities to all young people so they may take part in a wide range of activities to increase their personal and social development, health and wellbeing. 4. To promote and complement the work of NABGC, World Youth Clubs and other partners throughout the Durham Association area. 5. To act as liaison between the National Association (NABGC) and other partners with our affiliated clubs and also between government, local authorities, public bodies, trust funds and other external agencies concerned with youth provision. 6. To provide guidance, advice and support where requested to our individual clubs on areas of concern, such as financial or internal organisation matters. 7. To encourage and provide Inter -Club, County, Regional and National Sports and Creative Activities, Adventure Courses, Training, Development and International opportunities. 8. To provide for Leader, Management and Member Training. 9. To raise funds for the furtherance of the above objectives. 10. To provide equality of access, inclusion and opportunity for all young people irrespective of race, culture, sex, religion or disability. 11. To identify and promote good practice throughout the Association. 12. To develop effective working partnerships with a wide range of organisations and agencies. 13. To provide a positive environment and a safe space for young people. 14. To support the climate change agenda in all activities the Association undertakes. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE, IT LASTS A LIFETIME. TOGETHER STRONGER. ## **COUNTY CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS - 2024** We had an excellent turnout for our annual Cross Country championships which were hosted by Birtley Athletic Club in December 2024. We are sincerely grateful to the team of volunteers from Birtley AC for making us so welcome and to James Colling for his technical support. ## **BOYS** ## **Under 11** Winner Juan Figueroa-Gazmuri Phoenix Flyers Running Club Runner - up Max Pearson Chester-le-Street AC ## **Under 13** Winner William McClean Low Fell Running Club Runner-up Charlie Wilson Low Fell Running Club ## **Under 15** Winner Daniel Davison Low Fell Running Club Runner-up Ethan Dent Chester-le-Street AC ## **Under 17** Winner Lewis Denison Low Fell Running Club ## **GIRLS** ## **Under 11** Winner Celia De Lucas Phoenix Flyers Running Club Runner - up Violet Fisher Houghton Harriers AC ## **Under 13** Winner Evie Kleiser Phoenix Flyers Running Club Runner - up Isla Coker Phoenix Flyers Running Club ## **Under 15** Winner Evelyn Proctor Phoenix Flyers Running Club Runner - up Isabelle Christie Derwentside AC ## **Under 17** Winner Lucy Burnett Derwentside AC ## **TEAM AWARDS** ## **BOYS** **Under 11** Phoenix Flyers Running Club **Under 13** Low Fell Running Club ## **GIRLS** **Under 11** Chester-le-Street AC **Under 13** Chester-le-Street AC ea rl | es ee, A rg eras lee , 4 ## **NABGC NATIONAL X-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS - 2025** The NABGC National X-Country Championships were held in the beautiful setting of the Old Tower at Layer Marney near Colchester in Essex on Saturday 1st February 2025. Durham Association of Boys and Girls Clubs exceeded all expectations by bringing home 4 National Team Trophies together with 8 Individual National Champions. We also had 5 Individual National Runners - up and 5 National third place medallists together with two National Team Runners-up at Girls U13 and Boys U15 bringing our total medal haul to 36 - comprising 18 Individual medals and 18 Team medals - a tremendous achievement. ## **INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS** ## **BOYS** - **U11** Fraser Coker Phoenix Flyers Running Club **U13** Sam Dowd Low Fell Running Club **U15** Daniel Davison Low Fell Running Club **U17** Callum Bailey Birtley AC ## **GIRLS** - **U11** Celia De-Lucas Phoenix Flyers Running Club **U13** Kiera Wilson Houghton Harriers AC **U15** Evelyn Proctor Phoenix Flyers Running Club **U17** Lucy Burnett Derwentside AC ## **NATIONAL TEAM AWARDS** **BOYS** - **U11** Fraser Coker (Phoenix Flyers Running Club) / Juan Figueroa - Gazumri (Phoenix Flyers Running Club) / Freddie Hetherington (Phoenix Flyers Running Club) ## **GIRLS** - **U11** Celia De-Lucas (Phoenix Flyers Running Club) / Violet Fisher (Houghton Harriers AC) / Bethany Ritchie (Derwentside AC) - **U13** Kiera Wilson (Houghton Harriers AC) /Chloe Brown (Houghton Harriers AC) / Faith Langford (Houghton Harriers AC) - **U15** Evelyn Proctor (Phoenix Flyers Running Club) / Isabelle Christie (Derwentside AC) / Anna Pickering (Birtley AC) - **U13** Chloe Brown (Houghton Harriers) / Holly Brown (Houghton Harriers) / Kiera Wilson (Houghton Harriers) / Larkin Reed (Birtley AC) / Lilly Bailey (Birtley AC) ## **COUNTY POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS - 2025** The DABGC Pool championships were held at Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub in Sunderland on Thursday 20th March 2025 and were well attended. We are sincerely grateful to Marie Mould and her staff for making us so welcome on the night. There was some excellent Pool on offer, with everyone enjoying the evening. **BOYS Under 12** Winner Baker Murphy Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub Runner - Up Joey Charlton Oxhill Youth Club **Under 14** Winner Connor Ward Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub Runner - Up Seth Cruickshanks Sunderland Community Action Group **Under 16** Winner Rex Arrellano Sunderland Community Action Group Runner - Up Riley Boughton Sunderland Community Action Group **Under 19** Winner Kieran McKee Oxhill Youth Club **GIRLS Under 12** Winner Skye Fisher Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub Runner - Up Jessica Stoker Oxhill Youth Club **Under 14** Winner Lacey Tupper Oxhill Youth Club Runner - Up Erin Hodgson Oxhill Youth Club **Under 19** Winner Alyssa McKee Oxhill Youth Club Runner - Up Erin Carnall Oxhill Youth Club a * ~~. , x Ks hy jad ao a anes A ne ag ) £ BEE OP, IO ; = y 225 ## **NATIONAL POOL FINALS - 2024** We had a long trip to Bridgend in Wales in September 2024 for the National Pool Championships hosted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales. Against some strong competition all our young people performed with credit and enjoyed the experience. ## **NATIONAL POOL FINALS - 2025** Another long trip to Abercraf in South Wales in June 2025 for the National Pool Championships hosted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales. All our young people performed well and enjoyed the day with Alyssa McKee from Oxhill YC becoming the Female Under 19 National Champion and Erin Carnall, also from Oxhill YC becoming the Female Under 19 National Runner-up - a tremendous achievement with history being made as this is the first time the Durham Association has had a Female National Pool Champion and Runner-up. ## **COUNTY TABLE - TENNIS COMPETITION - 2025** The DABGC County Table Tennis Competition was held at Darlington Table Tennis Academy on Saturday 22nd March 2025 with a very good turnout. We would like to thank Giulio Pontone and Andy Murphy and the team at Darlington Table Tennis Academy for the use of their splendid facility together with an excellent day of Table Tennis. |**MALE**||| |---|---|---| |**Under 12**||| |Winner|Punav Pogal|Darlington Table Tennis Academy| |Runners - Up|William Halliday|Brandon Table Tennis Club| |**Under 14**||| |Winner|Jacob Lloyd Payne|Darlington Table Tennis Academy| |Runners - Up|James Finn|Darlington Table Tennis Academy| |**Under 16**||| |Winner|Jude Warner|Brandon Table Tennis Club| |Runners - Up|Sam Dale|Brandon Table Tennis Club| |**Under 19**||| |Winner|Lucas Hannan|Darlington Table Tennis Academy| **FEMALE Under 12** Winner Betty Miller Darlington Table Tennis Academy Runners - Up Riddhi Josh Darlington Table Tennis Academy ## **NATIONAL TABLE - TENNIS FINALS - 2024** The finals were delayed from July to October and hosted by the Lincolnshire Association at Wragby. We did extremely well with 5 individual National Champions and 3 National Runners - up as well as a Champion of Champions. **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||| |---|---|---| |NATIONAL CHAMPIONS| |BOYS| |U12|Punav Pogul|Darlington Table - Tennis Academy| |U14|Jude Warner|Brandon Table - Tennis Club| |U14|Aiden Murphy|Darlington Table - Tennis Academy| |U19|Dan Jones|Darlington Table - Tennis Academy| |GIRLS| |U14|Lucy Jones|Darlington Table - Tennis Academy| |NATIONAL RUNNERS - UP| |BOYS| |U12|William Halliday|Brandon Table - Tennis Club| |U14|Jamie Pattinson|Brandon Table - Tennis Club| |GIRLS| |U12|Betty Miller|Darlington Table - Tennis Academy| |OVERALL COMPETITION WINNERS| |GIRLS| |Lucy Jones|Darlington Table - Tennis Academy| |BOYS| |Dan Jones|Darlington Table - Tennis Academy| |CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS MEDAL| |Dan Jones|Darlington Table - Tennis Academy| **----- End of picture text -----**
**NATIONAL TABLE - TENNIS FINALS - 2025** These were again hosted by the Lincolnshire Association at Wragby in July 2025. We continued our success with 5 National Champions, 2 National Runners-up, 2 Champion of Champions and one Champion of Champions Runner-up, a tremendous achievement. **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |NATIONAL CHAMPIONS| |BOYS| |U12|William Halliday|Brandon Table Tennis Club| |U14U16|Jacob Lloyd Payne Darlington Table Tennis Academy Jamie Pattinson|Brandon Table Tennis Academy|iete| |wo)|«| |GIRLS| |U12|Betty Miller|Darlington Table Tennis Academy|lsy)| |U14|Beth Coltman|Darlington Table Tennis Academy| |NATIONAL RUNNERS - UP| |BOYS| |U14|James Finn|Darlington Table Tennis Academy| |GIRLS| |U12|Rishi Josh|Darlington Table Tennis Academy| |NATIONAL 3RD PLACE|:|rer|a||| |BOYS|aot|J| |U16|Kenneth Cheng|Brandon Table Tennis Club| |CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - 2025|mics| |BOYS| |Gold medal winner|Jamie Pattinson|Brandon Table Tennis Club| |Silver medal winner|William Halliday|Brandon Table Tennis Club| |GIRLS| |Gold medal winner|Beth Coltman|Darlington Table Tennis Academy| **----- End of picture text -----**
**THE BETTY WOODWARD YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2024/2025** We had many strong nominations for the Betty Woodward Award, which is presented on an annual basis to the Young Person of the Year from within the affiliated clubs of the Association. The criterion is open ended except that the young person must be a regular member of the club and aged between 14 years and 19 years. Last year’s winners were Finley Lee from Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub and Alyssa McKee from Oxhill Youth Club. This year’s award winners will be announced at our Celebration of Youth event on the 20th October 2025 at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham. ## **WORLD YOUTH CLUBS / BOYS AND GIRLS’ CLUBS OF AMERICA** The Durham Association is affiliated to the National body NABGC (UK) who in turn are affiliated to World Youth Clubs. In May 2025, Alan Watson, our Executive Youth Officer participated in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Annual Conference in San Diego, California, USA. The conference was attended by nearly 3000 delegates worldwide where it was pleasing to note that Durham was held up as good practice with our name known and respected globally. We continue to exchange and share best practice with other youth organisations around the world. ## **GLOBAL LINKS** The Association is in discussion with World Youth Clubs to forge links between our clubs and other clubs worldwide. To date we have established a virtual link between Oxhill Youth Club and Tampa Bay Boys and Girls Club in Florida which created good interaction and friendships. Follow up virtual links are in the process of being arranged with the prime objective to establish an exchange scheme with clubs in Washington State as well as a club in Maine USA. ## **DABGC WELLBEING PROJECTS - WEARDALE ADVENTURE CENTRE - ACTIVITY DAYS** Following on from a highly successful 2024 where the Adventure Activity Days provided a launch pad for young people to socialise and mix together, 2025 saw DABGC secure some further funding to continue these fun packed days. Each day again proved very popular with all at full capacity with a mixture of clubs attending. They all gained a wonderful experience in Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Gorge Walking, Archery, and Raft Building or on the High Ropes course. The Activity Days provided the physical and mental support many young people needed in a fun and secure outdoor environment. Comments from one group stated: “Excellent day for our young people to do something different to their normal activity in a fun, relaxed and controlled way and gain self-confidence and team building skills. Thank you DABGC for providing that opportunity” ## **NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BOYS AND GIRLS’ CLUBS (UK)** The Durham Association is an integral part of the National Association (NABGC UK) by being involved in the National activities and events programme and also influencing and supporting programme development. A series of virtual and face to face meetings throughout the year kept the Durham Association informed. These meetings are vital in that by influencing the composition of the National programme more opportunities become available for our young people here in Durham. ## **NABGC - NATIONAL CONFERENCE - SEPTEMBER 2024** ## This was held over a weekend in Cardiff during September 2024. The team from Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales made us very welcome with a series of events, workshops and Gala Dinner proving a huge success. ## **NABGC - NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025** The Durham Association is extremely proud to be hosting the National NABGC Conference in September 2025. This will coincide with NABGC celebrating its Centenary Year having been founded in 1925. We will be welcoming delegates to Durham from across the globe, including the founders of World Youth Clubs, Susan Pacaro Goings and Rick Goings. The event will also showcase our ongoing work with young people through a series of workshops and speakers, culminating in an awards evening graced by celebrities. ## **COUNTY DARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS - SEPTEMBER 2025** Due to the popularity and success of teenage darts sensation Luke Littler, there has been a resurgence of the sport over recent years within our clubs. As such it was felt that it was time for the Association to reintroduce Darts back onto the calendar of events. Sunderland Community Action Group will be hosting our first County Darts Competition for several years during September. ## **OYT SAILING RESIDENTIAL - 2025** The 2025 Sailing Residential in partnership with OYT North, took place over the weekend of the 11th to the 13th of July and experienced some glorious weather. This enabled the crew, drawn from a variety of our affiliated clubs, to have a wonderful experience learning how to sail a tall sailing ship from North Shields to Blyth then onto Amble and back to North Shields. The James Cook sailing vessel which they were on, had featured in the world-famous Hartlepool Tall Ships Race in 2023. They had a great journey with all the young people seeing an abundance of wildlife, including seals and puffins. They also gained an Adventure Under Sail certificate and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, gaining new skills and new friendships along the way. Thanks to Point North for providing the funding for this experience. Our thanks also go to Joanne Charlton from Oxhill YC who acted as the volunteer adult leader alongside Ben the skipper from the Ocean Youth Trust. ## **Participants** Samuel Callaghan The Activity Den Sophie Elliott The Activity Den Kaylem Rose The Activity Den Harrison Miller Oxhill Youth Club Riley Boughton Sunderland CAG Jake Taylor Sunderland CAG Katie Jones Sacriston Youth Club Lola Jane Johnstone Sacriston Youth Club Hannah Hughes Sunderland Harriers Elizabeth Hughes Sunderland Harriers Alfie Metcalf Brandon Carrside YPC Henry Ellis Brandon Carrside YPC **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **DABGC SUMMER WATERSPORTS PROGRAMME - SURFING/ PADDLEBOARDING / SNORKELLING AND ROCKPOOLING AT SOUTH SHIELDS** We were again fortunate to secure some funding to offer this great experience to complement our summer programme, to our affiliated clubs, at the award winning Sandhaven Beach at South Shields. These activities provided clubs with an enjoyable day either in the water or exploring the shores, getting to know and learning about life in the rock pools and beyond. They proved extremely popular with many clubs accessing a variety of different sessions on the water with over 250 young people participating this year. Our thanks go to Nick and his team at the South Shields Surfing School for their great instruction. Comments included ‘’Fabulous day and thanks to DABGC for providing the opportunity” and “A great day enjoyed by all our young people’’ and ‘’ Enjoyed exploring the rock pools’’. ## **DABGC KARTING CHALLENGE - GRAND PRIX 2024** This exciting event was held at the prestigious Karting NE track at Ryhope in August 2024, this generated a very wide interest from our clubs. It saw teams from each club competing on the track against each other in a step towards producing the next Lando Norris. Comments included “Wicked ‘’ and ‘’A very well organised DABGC event which was a hit with our young people’’ and ‘’Great time was had by all” **Champion** Joshua Baillie Gateshead Redheugh FC **2nd Place** Leo Bewick Sunderland Community Action Group **3rd Place** James Tingle Pheonix Flyers Athletic Club ## **UK CLUB ATHLETICS NABGC CHAMPIONSHIPS - 2025** This was hosted by Durham in June 2025 at the Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre. Thanks must go to James Colling OIC for organising his team of officials and other volunteers who assisted in making it a very successful day. Thanks also to Grindon YPC for making the Essex team so welcome in providing accommodation and hospitality. The Essex team were delighted to win a number of individual awards and also a national team title. Durham put in some fine performances with 42 individual National Champions and 5 (4 x100m) relay race champions making a grand total of 62 medals. Comments included ‘An excellent event which was well organised by DABGC with our athletes competing well and enjoying the day’ ## **INDIVIDUAL UK CLUB CHAMPIONS** ## **BOYS U11** Oscar Paxton Louis Leo Max Rockcliffe James Hunter Sunderland Harriers Oxhill YC Chester-le-Street AC Chester-le-Street AC ## **U13** Elliott Gorton Johnny Archer Tom Parks Xanda Holden Houghton Harriers Sunderland Harriers Chester-le-Street AC Phoenix Flyers ## **U15** Ethan Dent Joss Scott Owen Crompton Espen Taylor Findley Wilson Rodrigo Ribero Chester-le-Street AC Low Fell Running Club Birtley AC Derwentside AC Houghton Harriers Derwentside AC ## **U17** Ben Anderson William Young Zack Smith Daniel Davison Miguel Ribero Finley McPeake Sunderland Harriers Sunderland Harriers Chester-le-Street AC Low Fell Running Club Derwentside AC Chester-le-Street AC ## **U20** Ellis Ward Jacob Bull Phoenix Flyers Chester-le-Street AC ## **GIRLS U11** Maddison Carr Dorothy Baker Erin Stewart Sophie Palace Naomi Bankhead Derwentside AC Chester-le-Street AC Chester-le-Street AC Chester-le-Street AC Houghton Harriers ## **U13** Lillian Harris Faye Evans Zara Christie Megan Smith Joy Hunter Phoenix Flyers Chester-le-Street AC Derwentside AC Houghton Harriers Chester-le-Street AC ## **U15** Izzy Hall Evelyn Proctor Holly Brown **U17** Isabelle Beattie Charlotte Mooney Isobel Tyson Willow Kerr Iesha Tharahan Amelia Kochanowska Birtley AC Chester-le-Street AC Houghton Harriers Chester-le-Street AC Chester-le-Street AC Chester -le-Street AC Derwentside AC Phoenix Flyers Phoenix Flyers ## **NATIONAL 4X100M RELAY CHAMPIONS** **BOYS GIRLS U11** Chester-le-Street AC **U11 U13** Chester-le-Street AC **U13 U17** Chester -le- Street AC Chester-le-Street AC Chester -le -Street AC ## **COUNTY TEAM AWARDS** |**BOYS**||**GIRLS**| |---|---|---| |**U11**|Chester le Street AC|Chester le Street AC
**U11**| |**U13**|Sunderland Harriers|**U13**| |**U15**|Derwentside AC|**U17**| |**U17**|Sunderland Harriers|| |**U20**|Chester-le-Street AC|| Chester-le-Street Chester-le-Street Chester-le-Street ## **FIRST AID TRAINING - SAVE A LIFE PROJECT** The Association continued with its Save a Life Project and offered this valuable training to our member clubs, coaches, volunteers and young people. All sessions, in partnership with Priory Training, were fully booked and contributed to our ‘Save a Life’ project where a vital part of the training included Defibrillator awareness. The Executive Youth Officers are equipped with a defibrillator in each of their vehicles so that every event the Association offers is covered for any first aid eventuality. The Association offers this essential training free of charge to all our affiliated clubs, actively encouraging and promoting this qualification. Over the last year we have run two adult courses and a junior course for 8–14-year-olds which have been really well received. This has meant that during the course of the project over 435 members have been trained and are now able to provide First Aid cover at their club and within their local communities. WA. * a = ## **COUNTY BOXING TOURNAMENT** This was hosted by the Belle Vue Sports Centre in Hartlepool during October 2024 with our winners progressing to the Regional round which was kindly hosted by Adrian Worth and his team at Billingham Boxing Academy in November 2024. Winners then went forward to the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and National Finals. Nigel Voules Memorial Trophy for **Best Boxer** at the County Boxing Championships went to **Wallace McLeod** from Sunderland ABC. Gordon Jardin Memorial Trophy for **Best Bout** at the County Boxing Championships went to **Joe Bailey** from Ward Degnan’s. ## **NABGC NATIONAL BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS** These were held at Bridlington during November 2024 where we had 16 clubs represented. Durham did extremely well, bringing home 12 National Champions (9 Male and 3 Female) and 9 National Finalists medals - a tremendous achievement. ## **NATIONAL BOXING CHAMPIONS - 2024** |**MALE**||| |---|---|---| |**Class A**||| |46kgs|Alvin Jijo|Benwell Victoria| |**Class B**||| |40kgs|Isaac Ward|Ward Degnan’s| |57kgs|Blake Sherrington|Sunderland ABC| |**Class C**||| |63.5kgs|Malackie McHale|Middlesbrough ABC| |67kgs|Bradley Smith|Bishop Auckland ABC| |86kgs|Devine Omojor|Tyneside Boxing| |92kgs|Ethan Mager|New Welfare Boxing| |**Class D**||| |51kgs|Reece Readshaw|Phil Thomas School of Boxing| |57kgs|Haris Zaman|Middlesbrough ABC| **FEMALE Class B** 48kgs Layla Straughan North Star Boxing **Class C** 52kgs Jasmine Lunkaj Redcar ABC 60kgs Kiera Bowden Redcar ABC **NATIONAL BOXING FINALIST - 2024 MALE Class A** 40kgs Jim Wilson Phil Thomas School of Boxing 60kgs Ashton Innes The Legion Boxing Club **Class C** 51kgs Alfie Hollingsworth Billingham Boxing Academy 54kgs John Dixon Brandon Boxing Club **Class D** 67kgs Kai Battista Kenton ABC **FEMALE Class A** 46kgs Fallon Anderson Sunderland East End ABC **Class B** 46kgs Olivia Holden Middlesbrough ABC 50kgs Lila Hume Washington Boxing Club 52kgs Lilly Ella Rose Washington Boxing Club a Me oeann Niles = ae a La : a= | . Te onJ 4 ) y 7 = |: oe = Som 1 ee — x, s ah ~ ad 7 - c W. —— a . —: & f:[Sema][ gor.] al " uy|,BOYSCLUBS& GIRLS5] é \ we~ | = < ZAR y =— | " /Sam /) Le2 \e mh %. y9 j UP ae “on”, W333 2 4 & bell a 5 ie af) SS ## **NEW AFFILIATIONS** DABGC would like to welcome the following new affiliations to our Association: - CPS ABC Middlesbrough - MK Youth Sports CIC - West Auckland ABC ## **HIGH SHERIFF YOUTH AWARDS - FEBRUARY 2025** Our congratulations go to two of our affiliated clubs - Sacriston Youth Club and Pelton Fell Community Partnership who were honoured for separate projects on the awards night at Kynren in Bishop Auckland. ## **KEYSTONE AWARDS** The Durham Association presents Keystone Awards each year to give recognition to voluntary workers and others in the movement for their services to affiliated clubs or to the County Association for Diamond (60 years’ service) Presidents (50 years’ service) Platinum (40 years’ service) Gold (30 years’ service) Silver (20 years’ service) and Bronze (10 years’ service) with these awards presented on an annual basis at the AGM Presentation Night. ## **KEYSTONE AWARDS - 2025** |•Bill Niblo|50 years|Auckland Youth and Community Centre| |---|---|---| |•Tom Goodey|30 years|Grindon Young People’s Centre| |•Joanne Charlton|30 years|Oxhill Youth Club| |•Steven Hollingsworth|20 years|Billingham Boxing Academy| |•Jill Rodgers
•Kyle Stafford|10 years
10 years|Brandon Carrside Youth Project
Oxhill Youth Club| |•Megan Whetstone|10 years|Oxhill Youth Club| ## **KINGS AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE** ## **OXHILL YOUTH CLUB** Were delighted to receive the Kings Award for Voluntary Service from the Lord Lieutenant, Sue Snowden at a ceremony held at the club in March 2025. This is the highest honour (equivalent to an MBE) a community club can attain and was richly deserved. In addition, they also received an invitation to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace during May 2025. Several members of the club attended and enjoyed a grand day in London in the presence of the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family. ## **CLUB NEWS FEEDBACK AND DEVELOPMENT** ## **Brandon Carrside Youth Project** Have undertaken some internal building refurbishment including some new toilets. ## **Dan Burn and Lucy Bronze** England International footballers have recently been honoured. Dan with the Freedom of Northumberland, while Lucy received the Freedom of Alnwick. Dan played for England U16 Boys and Girls Clubs football team under the managerial guidance of Alan Watson (DABGC) winning the 4 Nations trophy. His football career spanned several clubs including Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion before transferring to his hometown club Newcastle United. Here, he has been a permanent figure in the team helping them attain a top sixth finish on two occasions in the Premier League as well as competing in the Champions League. His outstanding performances have paid off with a well-deserved recent call up to the England international squad. Lucy played for the England U16 Boys and Girls Clubs football team under the managerial guidance of Paul Smith and John Weaver (Boldon CA) winning the 4 Nations Rose Bowl tournament in Northern Ireland. Her football career has been phenomenal being the most decorated player in the Women’s game. Her achievements include 5 Champions League titles, 4 Women’s Super League titles and numerous league FA Cup and League Cup victories. As a outstanding England international she has represented her country over 140 times winning the Euro 2022 Championship at Wembley and again winning the title in 2025. She has also represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games. She was awarded an MBE for her services to football in 2023. ## **Alun Armstrong - Redheugh Boys Club** Represented the Durham Association in the winning Under 16 Gillette Cup Final Football Squad that won at Wembley in 1991 scoring 4 goals in a 6-1 thrashing of Middlesex. A prolific goal scorer, he spent time at Stockport County FC, Middlesbrough FC, Ipswich Town FC, Darlington FC and several others before moving into management. He has managed at Blyth Spartans and Darlington and has recently taken over as manager of his hometown club Gateshead FC. ## **Billingham Boxing Academy** Had two exciting trips abroad during the last year. First to Budapest in September 2024, where their boxers performed extremely well winning 16 out of 18 bouts against some tough opposition. Then it was off to Gothenburg in Sweden in early 2025, where they had a great welcome and were able to do some sightseeing and practice in a local gym before winning 3 Gold medals, one Silver and a Best Prospect Boxer during their stay. In addition, they are currently in the process of moving to new premises. ## **Auckland Youth and Community Centre** Are in the process of some major refurbishment including more positive utilisation of space for storage, new toilets and adjustments to several of their rooms, giving them a fresher feel. ## **Chester - le - Street Athletic Club** Ella Jones from the club is also a keen Air Cadet with the Royal Air Force No.1507(Chester-le-Street) Squadron and in March 2025 she was invited to attend the Lord Lieutenant Awards evening in Bishop Auckland. She was chosen as one of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Cadets for 2025. This is a tremendous honour, and Ella will now support the Lord Lieutenant with her royal and other duties over the coming year. ## **BEREAVEMENTS** ## **Sir PAUL NICHOLSON KCVO, KStj 7th March 1938 - 18th January 2025** Honorary Life President - Durham Association of Boys and Girls Clubs ## **A Life of Service** Sir Paul dedicated 45 years to the Association, serving as President and latterly as Honorary Life President. Sir Paul’s unwavering commitment to the wellbeing and success of young people left an indelible mark on the organisation. Under his visionary leadership, the membership flourished, and the Association became the most successful sporting county nationally. His philanthropic spirit and generosity provided hope and opportunity to countless young people, especially those from disadvantaged areas. He was the co-founder of the County Durham Community Foundation (Point North) which has provided millions of pounds for many voluntary organisations within County Durham. **A Lasting Legacy** Sir Paul’s support and guidance enabled the Association to inspire generations of young people to reach their full potential, empowering them to become responsible adults who made positive contributions to their local communities. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Sadly, we must also report the passing of the following people who gave so much to the Durham Association in so many different ways. They will be greatly missed ## **• Marilyn Carrick** - Auckland Youth and Community Centre - Dedicated committee member and committed worker for the centre and local community. ## **• Ronnie Sears** - Grierson’s Coaches - Valued coach driver for the Association, who over several decades safely transported our young people to a range of regional and national events. - **Georgia Ann O’Connor** - Brandon Boxing Club - A talented young boxer who passed away at the young age of 25 years. She gained the Junior ABA title in 2015 and also represented Team GB. ## **• Lena Colpitts** - Chester - le -Street AC - A dedicated volunteer who supported many young athletes over the decades alongside her husband Jim. ## **• Paul Eddy** - Seconds Out Boxing Academy - Ferryhill - A dedicated boxing coach who saved the local community centre from closure and inspired young people to success. ## **SIR BOB MURRAY AWARD** This award is presented on an annual basis by courtesy of Sir Bob Murray CBE. It is awarded to a young person who has shown a great at ude, commitment and motivation in supporting others and taken responsibility showing potential leadership qualities. The winner of the 2024 award was Beth Ross from Brandon Carrside Youth Project and this year’s winner will be announced at our Celebration of Youth Awards on the 20th October 2025 at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham. ## **DAVE LUMLEY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD** This award is presented each year in honour of Dave Lumley who served as a volunteer with this association for over 60 years. The recipient of the 2024 award went to Terry Ritson from Gateshead Redheugh FC. This year’s winner will be announced at the Celebration of Youth event at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham on 20th October 2025. ## **PRESIDENTS MEDAL** ## **Andy Lowe - Durham City Harriers** Started as an athlete with Durham City Harriers and played football with Spennymoor Juniors FC before gaining international honours in 1997 with the England Boys Clubs Under 16 team under the management of Alan Watson. His career has been spent in teaching and coaching holding the highest-level FA coaching awards. Following spells at Darlington FC, Middlesbrough FC, Spennymoor FC and Hartlepool United as Academy Manager, he moved to Wrexham FC where his skill in developing players from academy level to first team football has earned him many accolades. A first-class coach he has been a big influence in helping Wrexham FC secure three successive promotions. ## **James Richardson - Sunderland ABC** Jim has been coaching young boxers for over 50 years. A tireless and dedicated individual who has been instrumental in nurturing many boxers to National and International success. **Andy Abbott - Sunderland Harriers** A highly dedicated committee member and outstanding coach. He has supported the club throughout the decades and guided many athletes to national and international success. ## **ARMY EXPERIENCE DAY - OPERATION SILVER EAGLE - AUGUST 2025** Operation Silver Eagle in partnership with the Army is an exciting adventure experience held at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. This proved an excellent day in August 2025 where young people aged 14- 18 were able to undertake a range of army-based activities and learn about the various careers within the army. Following on from our Army Day in 2024, Dominic Thirlwell from Billingham Boxing Academy officially joined the army and is enjoying his career in the armed forces. ## **DAME SUSAN SNOWDON DCVO** In June 2025, the King appointed Sue Snowdon as a Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of her role as His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Durham. Sue has been a valuable supporter of the Association for many years, and we extend our warmest congratulations to her on receiving this honour. ## **J.J. GRIFFITHS AWARD** This year, the trophy for taking part in most DABGC events during the year was won by **Sunderland CAG** . ## **APPLE PROJECT** Following our continued partnership which has been running for several years with Apple at the Metro Centre, we are extremely grateful to their team for providing DABGC staff and our range of member clubs, field trips, group training, guidance, advice and support. These projects and Field Trips continue to be available to all our affiliated clubs. ## **PRESENTATION OF AWARDS NIGHT - 2024** An excellent night was held at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham in September 2024 with over 350 young people and invited guests enjoying a thoroughly entertaining evening. It showcased our Young People’s successes during the year and highlighted the tremendous contribution made by our volunteers. We are now looking forward to our Celebration of Youth evening on 20th October 2025. ## **SUPPORTERS** The Durham Association of Boys and Girls Clubs would like to express their thanks to the following for their support over the past year: - Amazon - Apple Metrocentre, Gateshead - Army (Catterick Garrison) - The Banks Group - Belle Vue Community (Bob Farrow), Sports and YC - Birtley A.C. - Boys and Girls Clubs of America - Boys & Girls UK Northeast Group (NBC/NGC) Community Foundation North East - Darlington Table Tennis Academy - Durham Agency Against Crime - Durham Constabulary - Durham County Council - Durham Football Association - Edward Robertson Digital Design and Development - Karting North East - Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub - Lloyds Bank Sunderland / Durham - Lord Lieutenants County Durham Office - McKenzie Bell & Sons Solicitors - National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs - Newcastle Building Society - Ocean Youth Trust North - Point North - Priory Training - Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club Durham - Richard Bonnington Essex Boys and Girls Clubs - Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre - Solar Trophies - South Shields Surfing School - Stanley Travel - Tyne Tees and Wear Amateur Boxing Association - Weardale Adventure Centre ## **HISTORY OF THE DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS AND GIRLS’ CLUBS** ## **‘’DOWN THE BOYZIE’’ CELEBRATING OVER 90 YEARS - 1933 TO 2025** - 1933 sees the birth of the Durham Association of Boys Clubs - 1998 sees the county change its name to the Durham Association of Clubs for Young People to fall in line with the change of the National organisation. - 2012 sees it change again this time to its current name of the Durham Association of Boys and Girls Clubs as the National organisation changes its name to Ambition. - In the early days the National Association of Boys Clubs had been around since 1925 and slowly throughout the country clubs for young boys were in the process of starting up. - In Durham the first annual report (1933 to 1934) indicates that 7 clubs made up the association St. Mary’s Boys Club Gateshead, St. Joseph’s Boys Club Sunderland, Chester le Street Boys Club, Consett Boys Club, Durham City Boys Club, South Church Boys Club and Silksworth Boys Club together with the Boys sections of the YMCA in different parts of the county. - Interestingly the President of the National Association at that time was H.R.H The Duke of Gloucester who has carried on the tradition throughout the last 80 to 90 years. • The main objectives were to ‘focus on the value of organising useful occupation during the leisure time of boys aged 14 to 18 years’ They did this by encouraging the formation and working with our existing clubs, to promote an interest in the Boys Club movement by building up contacts with statutory and other voluntary organisations. This also enables us to recruit and arrange for training of leaders and helpers to collect funds to administer activities. - Over 90 years, these original aims and objectives still hold true. Yes, the age range may have slightly changed, and girls are now involved, and have been with Durham since the 1950’s, but we still look to support the existing club network and encourage others to affiliate to us. To work in partnership with others, support and deliver training and provide a wide range of programme of events and activities. - Interestingly the first Treasurer of the Durham Association back in 1933 was Frank Nicholson (Senior) whose family have given so much to the Association over the years and where Lady Sarah Nicholson is the current Honorary Life President with Frank Nicholson our current President. - From these early beginnings the Durham Association grew to become a powerful force in competing and more often winning National Championships in a wide range of sporting activites.. This tradition continues today with many young people competing for their club in county competition before being selected to represent the Association at regional, national or international events and coming home as National Champions. - Today our Club base has expanded to between 65 - 85 clubs embracing new activities along the way. Our geographical area still remains the old County Durham covering South Tyne and Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley which includes General Youth Clubs, Boxing Clubs, Football Clubs, Durham Agency Against Crime, Athletic Clubs and many other clubs providing a wide range of activities with our Association. - All our Clubs have one thing in common that is to give 100% support to helping our young people become first class citizens as they progress into adulthood. - The Association was honoured with the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2021 the highest honour a voluntary organisation can achieve, equivalent to an MBE. - Our Lifelong President Sir Paul Nicholson who over decades gave so much to the organisation passed away in 2025. _By investing our time in Young People ‐ it lasts a lifetime._ ## **BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS UK** **(INCORPORATING NATIONAL BOYS CLUB/NATIONAL GIRLS CLUB - NORTH EAST GROUP)** These organisations offer young men and women between the ages of 16 and 21 the opportunity to join a National Group in which they can further their personal development, give a voluntary service to the movement in the company of other members and enjoy new friendships based on shared experiences. The Club has developed into local groups, which offer their voluntary service to County Associations as well as carrying out projects at local Clubs. The National Organisation offers members the opportunity to join others in nationally and internationally organised events. Belonging to Boys & Girls Clubs UK (NGC/NBC) is more than an honour; it acknowledges the young person’s capabilities and signifies their acceptance of responsibility within the Community. The Northeast Group, incorporating members in Northumberland and Durham has been in existence for several years and has again assisted the Executive Youth Officers with many events during the year and we are very grateful for their continued support. Anyone requiring information regarding Boys & Girls Clubs UK should contact the DABGC Executive Youth Officers on: **Alan Watson:** 07917 156953 **Simon Healey:** 07917 156954 Or: **George Lee:** North East Group Chairman (01429) 232306 ## **WAYS OF GIVING TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS - REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 520920** **Bank Details: Bank transfer to Durham Association of Boys and Girls Clubs / Sort Code 30-98-34 / Account Number 00205556** ## **CAF** (Charities Aid Foundation) Giving at its simplest. ## **JUSTGIVING** Is a trusted platform for online giving and was established in the year 2000 with the goal of enabling charities to receive donations online from anywhere in the world. Please refer to the dabgc.co.uk website for details to donate by CAF or JustGiving. Any queries contact DABGC office on **0191 3831894** ## **DIRECT DONATIONS “Gift Aid”** Much of our need is urgent and requires cash that can be used directly and immediately. That’s the special value of a direct donation to DABGC. By companies companies can now gain tax relief on single gifts. By individuals single gifts are deductible against income tax for higher rate taxpayers and the Inland Revenue will refund almost 30p for every £1 contributed in this way. Gift Aid donations need to be made in conjunction with a declaration Inland Revenue Form. ## **COVENANTS** By entering into a Deed of Covenant either as an individual or as a company you can provide extra help at no cost to yourself for every £1 you give under Deed of Covenant the Inland Revenue will contribute almost 30 pence extra. Please help us in this way and let the taxman make your donation grow. Higher rate taxpayers will also qualify for additional income tax relief. ## **SPONSORSHIP** The County Association organises many creative and sporting events and activities each year, which are a valued part of Club life. Sponsorship of such an event can benefit a company or organisation in promotional terms, helping to further their marketing plans. ## **GIFTS IN KIND** These can have a double value; they can supply urgent needs in Clubs and by association, gain publicity and enhancement of reputation from the donor. In some case if the gift in kind is not appropriate for use by clubs the gifts can be auctioned and money raised for them. ## **BEQUESTS** The work of the Clubs will be as important in the future as in the past. So income from legacies and bequests continues to be of immense value to us. For the correct form of words and information on the tax benefits please consult your solicitor when you are drawing up or altering your will. Registered Charity No. 520920. ## **ADVERTISING** There are a number of opportunities for you to help local Clubs by taking advertisements in various publications and thereby subsidising and reducing the cost of such activities. Our Annual Report and the programmes for our various fund raising events are just some of these publications. ## **MATCHING DONATIONS** We are always grateful to benefactors who offer to match funds gathered by the Clubs. This is of great benefit as it serves as an incentive to the organisation. ## **PAYROLL GIVING** Individual employees are now able to make unlimited donations to any charity of their choice from their pre tax pay. Thus, the employee need only give 78p for the charity to receive £1. If you are an employer or an employee whose company decides to get involved in payroll giving, please include DABGC on your list of named charities. ## **TIME** People from all backgrounds and with different skills who give their time to Clubs partake in one of the most valuable and appreciated forms of giving. If you are able and prepared to help with our urgent need in relation to the recruitment of additional volunteer workers and Management Committee Members for our affiliated Clubs please contact the Executive Youth Officers. Clubs are always looking for people to join their existing teams of voluntary leaders men and women with genuine interest in the development of young people and a willingness to give up one or two evenings per week to help young people in their leisure time activities. The following are some of the ways in which help is always required. ## **MONEY RAISERS** All Clubs have to spend an increasing amount of time in raising money and most have special committees to organise functions such as dances, bingo and jumble sales. All clubs urgently need people with the ability to organise these functions. ## **SPECIALIST ACTIVITY LEADERS** What’s your hobby? Something energetic like football, quiet like stamp collecting or slightly out of the ordinary like silk screen printing. Whatever it is, you’ll find you enjoy it far more if you can pass on your skills and interest to young people and have the satisfaction of sharing your enthusiasm. ## **VOLUNTEERS** Without the help of a large number of volunteers we would not exist. You don’t need to be a specialist or a club helper all you need is the willingness to help with the supervision of basic club activities collecting subscriptions, staffing of the coffee bar or transporting club members to activities away from the club are a few of the tasks for which volunteers can greatly assist the Club Leader. Any offers of help should be addressed to your nearest Club or, alternatively write to: ## **Durham Association of Boys & Girls Clubs** Old Court House, Newcastle Road, Chester le Street County Durham, DH3 3AU Telephone: (0191) 3831894 E mail: dabgc@btconnect.com Website: htp://www.dabgc.co.uk Registered Charity No. 520920 Executive Youth Officer: Alan Watson: 07917 156953 Executive Youth Officer: Simon Healey: 07917 156954 ## **AFFILIATED CLUBS** - Auckland Youth and Community Centre (Bishop Auckland) - Barnard Castle ABC - Belle Vue (Bob Farrow) Sports and Community Centre (Hartlepool) - Billingham Boxing Academy - Bilton Hall ABC (Jarrow) - Birtley Athletic Club - Birtley Young People’s Club - Bishop Auckland ABC - Boldon Community Association ABC - Boldon Community Association Colts and Girls FA - Brandon Boxing Club - Brandon Carrside Youth and Community Centre - Brandon Table Tennis Club - Bright Futures Community Hub (South Shields) - Bullion Community Resource Centre (Chester le Street) - Cheesy Waffles Project (Durham) - Chester le Street Athletic Club - Chester Moor ABC - Clavering Boys and Girls Clubs and Maasai Club (Annfield Plain) - Consett Rugby Club - Consett Steel FC - CPS ABC Middlesbrough - Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC) - Darlington ABC - Darlington Table Tennis Academy - Derwentside Athletic Club - District Youth ABC (Washington) - D.J. Evans YC (Bowburn) - Durham City Youth Project - East Durham Boxing Club (Peterlee) - East Middlesbrough ABC - Gateshead Cleveland Hall CA - Gateshead Redheugh FC - Grindon Young People’s Centre (Sunderland) - Hartlepool Catholic Boxing Club - High Fell ABC - Houghton Harriers and Athletic Club - Hylton Castle and Town End Farm Boys and Girls Clubs - Kenton ABC - Lambton Street Youth and Community Hub (Sunderland) - Low Fell Running Club - Middlesbrough ABC - MK Youth Sports CIC - Natural Progression Boxing Academy (Stockton) - New Welfare ABC (Hartlepool) - North Road Gym ABC (Stanley) - Oxhill Youth Club (Stanley) - Pelton Fell Community Partnership - Phil Thomas ABC (Middlesbrough) - Phoenix Flyers Athletic Club (Great Lumley) - Redcar ABC - Sacriston Youth and Community Project - Shildon ABC - Spennymoor Boxing Academy - Sunderland ABC - Sunderland Community Action Group - Sunderland East End ABC - Sunderland Harriers and Athletic Club - The Activity Den (Annfield Plain) - The Legion Boxing Club - The North Star ABC - Ward Degnans ABC (Darlington) - Washington ABC - Wearmouth ABC (Sunderland) - West Auckland ABC **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **THANK YOU** The Durham Association would like to thank our loyal supporters, subscribers and others who have contributed financially or in kind to make sure the association continues to provide activities and events of the highest standard for our young people. We appreciate your kind and generous support. Investing in young people lasts a lifetime. Please donate to Registered Charity No. 520920 ## OVER 90 YEARS OF INVESTING IN YOUNG PEOPLE **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS CELEBRATING OVER 90 YEARS** FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Registered Charity No. 520920 ~~PT~~ -1- DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** **Bank** Lloyds Bank 54 Fawcett Street Sunderland Tyne & Wear SR1 1ST **Solicitors** McKenzie Bell Solicitors 47 John Street Sunderland Tyne & Wear SR1 1QU **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **GET INSPIRED GET INVOLVED TOGETHER STRONGER** _Investing in Young People lasts a lifetime_ Registered Charity No. 520920 -2- ## DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS **ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** The Durham Association of Boys and Girls Club is a registered charity, No. 520920. Its address is at The Old Court House, Newcastle Road, Chester-Le-Street, DH3 3UA. The charity trustees during the year to 31 March 2025 were: Ms Claire Errington, Chair Mr James Colling Mr Ray Knox, Vice Chair Mr Les Todd Mr George Lee Mr Richard Duggan Mr Michael McCormack Ms Joanne Charlton ## **OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARITY AND PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES** The charity’s objectives are to provide opportunities for boys, girls, young men and young women to develop their own abilities and potential in a safe and non-threatening environment. To develop spiritually, morally, culturally, mentally and physically, in preparation for life and adult responsibility. The charity’s principle activities have been in the area of providing administrative, organisational and financial support to the 68 clubs who form the Durham Association. Also, in providing a range of sporting activities The charity is managed by the Board of Trustees who delegates the day to day running of the activities to the Chair and Vice Chair supported by a part time Executive Support Officer and two part time Executive Youth Officers. The organisation depreciated its IT equipment that was purchased in the accounting period 2022/2023 (over a 2-year period) and as such, are now fully written down. In December 2024 the organisation added 3 mobile phones to this accounting period 2024/2025 and, again will be depreciated over a 2-year period. ## **DEVELOPMENTS, ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS THIS YEAR** - See Annual Report ## **FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS** To continue supporting clubs within our Association ensuring that club facilities are maintained to a good standard. To increase the sporting activities and event opportunities for young people. ## **RESERVES POLICY** The charity aims to retain sufficient free reserves on hand to facilitate the ongoing administration of the organisation for at least a period of 12 months. At 31 March 2025 this would approximate to £85,000. ## **FINANCIAL POSITION** The Association’s unspent reserves at 31 March 2025 were equivalent to approximately 12 months of normal operating expenditure, which the trustees consider to be adequate at this time. In addition, the charity holds ringfenced funds to the value of £15,435 at 31 March 2025. The charity holds no property or finance on behalf of other charities or bodies. The charity plans to host the National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs conference for 2025 here in Durham. As a result, the Charity plans to utilise an element of its reserved funds and increase expenditure during the financial year (2025/26) to the region of £25,000 to support the event. ## **Ms Claire Errington - Chair** } 21st July 2025 On behalf of the board of trustees -3- ## DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 set out on pages 5 to 7. ## **RESPECT RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND THE EXAMINER** As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of accounts; you consider that the audit requirements of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 2011 does not apply. It is our responsibility to state on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention. ## **BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** As the Charity’s Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts prepared with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT** I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act I have completed my examination. I have identified no matters of concern to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Michael Kirtley BA (Hons) ACMA** Leeds Teaching Hospitals St James Hospital Beckett Street Leeds LS9 7TF **21st July 2025** -4- ## DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |General Fund|General Fund| |2025|2024| |£|£| |INCOMING RESOURCES| |Subscriptions &| |Donations:|Subscribers|50650|100951| |Donations|19332|5939| |Affiliation Fees|1820|840| |Sundry|485|75| |Deposit account interest|3524|398| |Events|(Income):|Fundraising/Competitions|3926|4548| |Other|0|0| |TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES|79737|112751| |EXPENDED RESOURCES| |Management & Administration of the Charity| |Salaries and Wages|40160|50725| |Staff Expenses|6610|5057| |Advertising/IT Expenses| |Rent & Office Equipment|2655|3336| |Printing and Stationery|2661|1480| |Training|325|1180| |Postage|277|390| |Telephone / Broadband|1898|2082| |Insurance|560|545| |Travel Expense & Admin|5462|6573| |Subscription|0|0| |Depreciation C/F|2800|3048| |Legal & Professional|3132|750| |Sundry Expenses|0|0| |Misc. Equipment|0|0| |Events|(Expenditure):|Fundraising/Competitions|14986|16471| |TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED|81526|91637| |NET RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR|(1789)|21114| |Balances transferred from charity at 01-Apr|62483|41369| |Adjustments from prior years|0|0| |Balances carried forward at 31-Mar|60694|62483| |All the charity’s funds are considered to be unrestricted by the Trustees.| **----- End of picture text -----**
-5- ## DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2025** |**BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2025**||| |---|---|---| ||**2025**|**2024**| ||**£**|**£**| |**FIXED ASSETS**||| |IT Equipment NBV|**2610**|**2790**| |**CURRENT ASSETS**||| |Cash at bank and in hand|**106,513**|108475| |||| |**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**|**109123**|111265| |Represented by:||| |**FUNDS**||| |Unrestricted General fund|**42188**|44330| |Ringfenced General Fund|**15435**|15435| |Designated - Development fund
Designated - Contingency reserve|**11000**
**40500**|11000
40500| ||**109123**|111265| -6- DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **Basis of accounting** The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice (Accounting and Reporting by Charities). ## **2. EMPLOYEES REMUNERATION** Total remuneration for the year amounted to £40160 ## **3. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION** No remuneration directly or indirectly out of the funds of the charity was paid or payable for the year to any trustee or to any connected persons. ## **4. FUNDS AND FUND TRANSFERS** All the Charity’s funds are considered by the Trustees to be unrestricted. The Trustees have set aside funds as designated funds as follows: ## **Ring-Fenced General Fund** The Charity has ringfenced funds which relate to specific activities/events. ## **Contingent Fund (previously reported as Building Fund)** There are no movements on the fund during the year. The fund has been set up to provide as a contingency and reserve in the event of unforeseen circumstances that cannot be funded in year. There are no known commitments against this fund at the balance sheet date. ## **Development Fund** The purpose of this fund is to promote new initiatives and to expand the services of the Association. There are no movements on the fund during the year. -7- **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **OUR VALUES** **TRUST RESPECT INTEGRITY CELEBRATION PARTNERSHIP WORKING TOGETHER STRONGER** _Investing in Young People lasts a lifetime_ PLEASE DONATE TO REGISTERED CHARITY NO 520920 -8- **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS CELEBRATING OVER 90 YEARS** FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Registered Charity No. 520920 ~~PT~~ -1- DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** **Bank** Lloyds Bank 54 Fawcett Street Sunderland Tyne & Wear SR1 1ST **Solicitors** McKenzie Bell Solicitors 47 John Street Sunderland Tyne & Wear SR1 1QU **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **GET INSPIRED GET INVOLVED TOGETHER STRONGER** _Investing in Young People lasts a lifetime_ Registered Charity No. 520920 -2- ## DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS **ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** The Durham Association of Boys and Girls Club is a registered charity, No. 520920. Its address is at The Old Court House, Newcastle Road, Chester-Le-Street, DH3 3UA. The charity trustees during the year to 31 March 2025 were: Ms Claire Errington, Chair Mr James Colling Mr Ray Knox, Vice Chair Mr Les Todd Mr George Lee Mr Richard Duggan Mr Michael McCormack Ms Joanne Charlton ## **OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARITY AND PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES** The charity’s objectives are to provide opportunities for boys, girls, young men and young women to develop their own abilities and potential in a safe and non-threatening environment. To develop spiritually, morally, culturally, mentally and physically, in preparation for life and adult responsibility. The charity’s principle activities have been in the area of providing administrative, organisational and financial support to the 68 clubs who form the Durham Association. Also, in providing a range of sporting activities The charity is managed by the Board of Trustees who delegates the day to day running of the activities to the Chair and Vice Chair supported by a part time Executive Support Officer and two part time Executive Youth Officers. The organisation depreciated its IT equipment that was purchased in the accounting period 2022/2023 (over a 2-year period) and as such, are now fully written down. In December 2024 the organisation added 3 mobile phones to this accounting period 2024/2025 and, again will be depreciated over a 2-year period. ## **DEVELOPMENTS, ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS THIS YEAR** - See Annual Report ## **FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS** To continue supporting clubs within our Association ensuring that club facilities are maintained to a good standard. To increase the sporting activities and event opportunities for young people. ## **RESERVES POLICY** The charity aims to retain sufficient free reserves on hand to facilitate the ongoing administration of the organisation for at least a period of 12 months. At 31 March 2025 this would approximate to £85,000. ## **FINANCIAL POSITION** The Association’s unspent reserves at 31 March 2025 were equivalent to approximately 12 months of normal operating expenditure, which the trustees consider to be adequate at this time. In addition, the charity holds ringfenced funds to the value of £15,435 at 31 March 2025. The charity holds no property or finance on behalf of other charities or bodies. The charity plans to host the National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs conference for 2025 here in Durham. As a result, the Charity plans to utilise an element of its reserved funds and increase expenditure during the financial year (2025/26) to the region of £25,000 to support the event. ## **Ms Claire Errington - Chair** } 21st July 2025 On behalf of the board of trustees -3- ## DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 set out on pages 5 to 7. ## **RESPECT RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND THE EXAMINER** As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of accounts; you consider that the audit requirements of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 2011 does not apply. It is our responsibility to state on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention. ## **BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** As the Charity’s Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts prepared with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT** I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act I have completed my examination. I have identified no matters of concern to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Michael Kirtley BA (Hons) ACMA** Leeds Teaching Hospitals St James Hospital Beckett Street Leeds LS9 7TF **21st July 2025** -4- ## DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** **----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |General Fund|General Fund| |2025|2024| |£|£| |INCOMING RESOURCES| |Subscriptions &| |Donations:|Subscribers|50650|100951| |Donations|19332|5939| |Affiliation Fees|1820|840| |Sundry|485|75| |Deposit account interest|3524|398| |Events|(Income):|Fundraising/Competitions|3926|4548| |Other|0|0| |TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES|79737|112751| |EXPENDED RESOURCES| |Management & Administration of the Charity| |Salaries and Wages|40160|50725| |Staff Expenses|6610|5057| |Advertising/IT Expenses| |Rent & Office Equipment|2655|3336| |Printing and Stationery|2661|1480| |Training|325|1180| |Postage|277|390| |Telephone / Broadband|1898|2082| |Insurance|560|545| |Travel Expense & Admin|5462|6573| |Subscription|0|0| |Depreciation C/F|2800|3048| |Legal & Professional|3132|750| |Sundry Expenses|0|0| |Misc. Equipment|0|0| |Events|(Expenditure):|Fundraising/Competitions|14986|16471| |TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED|81526|91637| |NET RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR|(1789)|21114| |Balances transferred from charity at 01-Apr|62483|41369| |Adjustments from prior years|0|0| |Balances carried forward at 31-Mar|60694|62483| |All the charity’s funds are considered to be unrestricted by the Trustees.| **----- End of picture text -----**
-5- ## DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2025** |**BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2025**||| |---|---|---| ||**2025**|**2024**| ||**£**|**£**| |**FIXED ASSETS**||| |IT Equipment NBV|**2610**|**2790**| |**CURRENT ASSETS**||| |Cash at bank and in hand|**106,513**|108475| |||| |**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**|**109123**|111265| |Represented by:||| |**FUNDS**||| |Unrestricted General fund|**42188**|44330| |Ringfenced General Fund|**15435**|15435| |Designated - Development fund
Designated - Contingency reserve|**11000**
**40500**|11000
40500| ||**109123**|111265| -6- DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **Basis of accounting** The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice (Accounting and Reporting by Charities). ## **2. EMPLOYEES REMUNERATION** Total remuneration for the year amounted to £40160 ## **3. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION** No remuneration directly or indirectly out of the funds of the charity was paid or payable for the year to any trustee or to any connected persons. ## **4. FUNDS AND FUND TRANSFERS** All the Charity’s funds are considered by the Trustees to be unrestricted. The Trustees have set aside funds as designated funds as follows: ## **Ring-Fenced General Fund** The Charity has ringfenced funds which relate to specific activities/events. ## **Contingent Fund (previously reported as Building Fund)** There are no movements on the fund during the year. The fund has been set up to provide as a contingency and reserve in the event of unforeseen circumstances that cannot be funded in year. There are no known commitments against this fund at the balance sheet date. ## **Development Fund** The purpose of this fund is to promote new initiatives and to expand the services of the Association. There are no movements on the fund during the year. -7- **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **OUR VALUES** **TRUST RESPECT INTEGRITY CELEBRATION PARTNERSHIP WORKING TOGETHER STRONGER** _Investing in Young People lasts a lifetime_ PLEASE DONATE TO REGISTERED CHARITY NO 520920 -8-