GUISELEY Community Foundation 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, which is supported by the National League Trust, the PFA and the Premier League, has been a great success.

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

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

Plans are also being put in place to extend the offer to the young people involved in the project by the Foundation offering Sports Leader and FA Coaching Qualifications.

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 Academy Coach Danny Ellis and Community Foundation Manager Steve Taylor in partnership with HMYOI Wetherby PE Staff, Education Provider Novus and West Yorkshire Police.

Guiseley Community Foundation Trust Chairman Phil Rogerson said: "Our thanks go to all of them for their support and for providing the Community Foundation with the chance to be involved."

Rogerson, despite having retired to Cornwall, is the inspiration behind the Community Foundation and the driving force behind its work.

This includes soccer camps in school holidays; weekly clubs for boxing, Little Lions club co-ordination and socialising skills for 2-4 year-olds.

There is also after-school and lunchtime coaching in local schools; evening football sessions to keep kids off the street; goalkeeping courses; Wildcats girls introduction to football and organising a match day club where children get an hour's coaching.

Finally, the youngsters can visit the changing room and meet management and players, have photographs with club mascot Ossie the Lion, have lunch, provide the Guard of Honour as the players go out on the pitch and then finally watch the game!

The Foundation also has many projects in the development stage, including work with those with dementia and the elderly and disabled, along with local group AVSED.