Guiseley Community Foundation are delighted to have been awarded the National League Trust Community Annual Award for the most Innovative Project of 2017-18.

Their 12 week project, using football coaching to engage young offenders at HMYOI Wetherby, is supported by the National League Trust, the PFA and the Premier League, and it has proved a great success.

Through the power of sport this and subsequent sessions are aiding the rehabilitation of cohorts of young men.

The Guiseley AFC Community Foundation has since received requests for at least two further 12 week programmes and the second set of sessions is already underway.

The Foundation is putting plans in place to extend the offer to the young people involved in the project by offering Sports Leader and FA Coaching Qualifications.

The Chairman of the Community Foundation Trustees Phil Rogerson said: “This current project is attracting attention from other local secure units and there is interest in replicating the project to engage more young people in their rehabilitation.

“There has also been national interest, especially from Dr Phillip Lee, the Justice Minister, who is a champion of rehabilitation of offenders and supporting young people in turning their lives around using the power of sport.”

The sessions are run by former Guiseley player and current Academy Coach Danny Ellis and Community Foundation Manager Steve Taylor.

This is in partnership with HMYOI Wetherby PE Staff, Education Provider Novus and West Yorkshire Police.

Rogerson added:”Our thanks go to all of them for their support and for providing the Community Foundation with the chance to be involved.”