The Armchair Club, a group of people that has raised more than £350,000 over the past 45 years to help local sports clubs and talented young sportspeople, is urging clubs to apply for support.

A spokesperson said: “Does your club have plans to support and encourage talented young athletes or promote coaching development or provide essential equipment or increase participation among girls and disabled athletes?

“If your club is looking to the future and wants to grow through these and other initiatives, now is the perfect time to apply for support from the Armchair Club.”

Formed in the 1980s by local business leaders, the club has helped people across Mansfield, Mansfield Woodhouse, Warsop, Sutton and Kirkby, as well as surrounding villages including Blidworth, Edwinstowe, Rainworth, and Ravenshead.

Since gaining charitable status in 2015 as the Armchair Club Sports Foundation, the club has also been able to seek support from additional charitable sources.

It raises money from popular annual community events such as the annual Charity Swimathon, a golf tournament, Question of Sport evening, and the Sports Recognition Awards.

The spokesperson added: “We are proud to be working in partnership with Mansfield Building Society to jointly support club applications for financial assistance.

“Successful applicants may receive awards ranging from £250 to £1,000 to help bring their development plans to life.

“Request your application form today and take the next step in building a stronger future for your club.”

Go to www.armchairclub.org and complete an application form to ask for support.

THE Armchair Club, a group of businesspeople who have been raising money for local sports clubs and individuals since 1982, has made grants to support two local young people.

Fifteen-year-old Mansfield golfer Theo Nelson, who plays off a 0.7 handicap, had a successful 2024, including winning the Nottinghamshire Under-18 Order of Merit. At the Midlands Youth U21 Championships the Coxmoor GC member was the youngest competitor, finished 32nd out of 139.

Mansfield Harriers sprinter Matt Smart, who races over 60m, 100m and 200m, progressed further over the winter and was second in the 60m at the England Athletics Under Age Group Championships in February, missing out on gold by just 2/1000th of a second. Eighteen-year-old sprinter Matt is ranked 20th in the UK, including senior athletes, and previously was an England Schools international, racing over 200m and the 4x100m relay in 2023. In February he was invited to take part in the Keely Klassic, the premier indoor competition in the UK at the National Indoor Arena.

A spokesperson for the Armchair Club said: “We are pleased to be able to support two promising young sportsmen at this early stage of their careers. The support from local businesses given to club events, which generate the funds that we are able to distribute, is much appreciated by our members and, of course, those receiving funding to pursue their chosen sport.”

The young athletes who received grants recently will use their grants towards the costs of training, travel, accommodation, and competition fees.

To find out more about the Armchair Club and how to apply for a grant, go to https://www.armchairclub.org

The Armchair Club and Mansfield Building Society have again combined to make a significant sporting donation — this time cheques totalling £900 to Ashfield Spartans Boxing Academy.

The Kirkby-based academy supports its local community through boxing, which helps to reduce crime, aids rehabilitation, and improves mental and physical health.

It offers structured boxing programmes for young people, which helps curb anti-social behaviour, provides ex-offenders with career opportunities, and creates inclusive activities for older adults.

By fostering discipline and offering mentorship and encouraging healthy lifestyles, the academy aims to build a safer and more connected community.

The Armchair Club — a group of businesspeople who help sports clubs and individuals across Mansfield and Ashfield — and Mansfield Building Society each presented the academy with £450 to complete a critical flooring upgrade at the Spartans premises.

Tom Birchall, one half of Mansfield’s world and TT motor cycling sidecar champions, the Birchall Brothers, has joined the Armchair Club as a full member.

At his first monthly meeting, Tom supported an application for funding to two recipients.
Tom told club members that now he had retired from racing, he was looking forward to putting something back into the local sporting community through the Armchair Club.

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Mansfield School Games and the Armchair Club are continuing to support future sporting stars by providing financial backing that will allow students to access community sports clubs.

Four learners from King Edward Primary School Mansfield were presented with cheques which will allow them to access a new sport or continue with current activities. The donations will support with club fees, sports kit or equipment.

Nicola Biggs, Mansfield School Games organiser said “This is a fantastic opportunity that will support the students and local clubs as well. Sports involved include rugby union, tennis, taekwondo and gymnastics.”

A cheerleading team will experience the magic of Disneyland Paris when they take part in an international cheer and dance competition November.

And the 776 Gymnastics team has been given a helping hand by the Armchair Club, a group of local people who support sports clubs and individuals.

776 Gymnastics, which has bases in Mansfield and Newark, received £500 from the Armchair Club Sports Foundation Trust development fund, which is jointly supported by Mansfield Building Society.

When the 776 Gymnastics Junior Cheer team — 16 chilren and four coaches — goes to Paris for the Future Cheer competition it will be the first time that 776 has had the opportunity to compete at international level.

The youngsters are increasing their training schedule to help perfect routines and skills.

Gymnastics coach and owner Kelly Westwood, who thanked the Armchair Club for the donation, said: “We would like our children to have the same opportunities as others and this is such a big dream come true for them.

“We are doing all we can to help these children on their way to represent Mansfield at an international competition.”

As well as the donation, the club has started to help families raise money for the trip, including three coaches tackling a sponsored Three Peaks challenge, and a cheer display for parents that added £400 to the Paris fund.

Two parents are also making gifts and holding weekly tombolas, raising hundreds of pounds so far, while children at the club completed a sponsored run.

YU! Martial Arts Collective, more commonly known as YuMac, are the latest sporting group to benefit from a grant from the Armchair Club, a group of local business people who support sports clubs and individuals

A cheque presentation of £500, funded jointly by the Armchair Club and the Mansfield Building Society, has been made to YuMac.  The partnership between the Armchair Club and Mansfield Building Society has recently been established to identify and support local sports clubs with their youth development plans.

The photo shows members of YuMac along with Geoff Waller, and Kelly Weatherer from Mansfield Building Society at the Intake Business Centre on Kirkland Avenue in Mansfield where the club are based,

https://www.yumac.co.uk/

Mansfield Woodhouse’s Brandon Lee is the recipient of the latest grant made by the Armchair Club, a group of local businessmen and women who raise funds to support aspiring athletes across Mansfield & Ashfield.

This is the second grant made to Brandon, the first was in January 2023, since when Brandon has gone on to represent GB at a junior level in an international competition in Loughborough. He is now ranked number one in the U20 triple jump in the UK. He is also the Midland indoor champion in his age group.

Brandon also went on to win the national indoor championships in February too. In the outdoor season, Brandon has made his mark by winning the English Schools Championships as well as the outdoor

national championships. Brandon now commutes to London once a week to train with a top UK coach.

The grant will help meet transport costs and enable Brandon to pay competition entry fee’s as well as accommodation costs for events, and training equipment.

Our photo shows Brandon being presented with a cheque for £500 from Armchair Club members Geoff Waller and Stewart Rickersey at the Berry Hill track, the home of Mansfield Harriers, where Brandon is a member.