The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' (effective January 2015).
The charity's objectives are:
To promote community participation in healthy recreation, by providing facilities for the playing of rugby union and other sports capable of improving physical health.
To provide and assist in providing sports facilities for sport, recreation or other leisure time, occupation of persons who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty. or social or economic circumstances.
Also for the public at large, in the interest of social welfare, with the objective of improving their conditions of life. Also to advance the education of children and young people through such means as the trustees think fit.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
The impact of Covid was still evident in July 2023: a lack of physical fitness, isolation, especially of children with Special Educational Needs (SEND), lack of social skills, especially in younger children, and increasing anxiety related issues. Schools were keen to link with our on-going programmes: introducing Tag Rugby to primary school students, Cookies-KHAW, (www.cookies-KHAW.org) with healthy eating, nutrition and fitness, mentoring for students finding school difficult. Activities were planned for young people at risk, mainly in Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) as well as expanding links with secondary schools to develop and promote Rugby with older students. The Academy programme at Thomas Rotherham College (TRC) was expanded and developed linking them to greater opportunities for competitive Rugby against schools and colleges across the north of England.
In 2023/24 the HAF programme was again available throughout Rotherham. TCF were invited to participate over the summer, and at Christmas, again as a subcontractor to Flying Futures. However, the sessions were now delivered in school buildings and linked directly to individual schools, with the emphasis on children on Free School Meals. (FSM)
The Careers Infrastructure package was also developed further for use in both secondary and primary schools. This proved very popular in the summer term and led to several local Special schools asking for support around careers for students with disabilities. This came directly from working with these students at different careers events run by Rotherham Council at Magna for SEND schools and college groups.
Over the summer of 2023 Jamie Cooke again worked with AND digital to expand and develop the Cookies-KHAW app. This was then rolled out to new schools from September and assessed against criteria from a funder, South Yorkshire Coalfields Regeneration fund. As in previous years, all children were offered a Titans Card for free access to all of Rotherham Titans home games, funded by AESSEAL and Ex-Animo Foods. Increasing numbers of children and their families are regularly attending matches at Clifton Lane. At the Magna STEM event in March, the work done by Cookies-KHAW was noted by the Director of the Advanced Well-being Research Centre (AWRC) based at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) and an invitation to attend and explore further developments with them was offered. This was taken up and a full programme to research into the impact of Cookies-KHAW will be part of future developments for TCF.
The Learners Trust, a local Multi Academy Trust, (MAT) has contracted TCF to provide a variety of after-school clubs across Rotherham, Sheffield, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire. These range from Tag Rugby, Multisports, Cricket, Nerf Wars and Dodgeball. While the income generated is limited, it offers the chance to explore links to other schools and offer further programmes to them. Other local MATs such as JMAT and Nexus are also exploring opportunities for paid activities with TCF across numerous schools.
At the start of 2024 TCF were asked by Flying Futures to take over the main HAF provision in Rotherham. The registration and approval process was extensive and needed recommendations from partners, increased insurance cover and expectations of standards linked to OFSTED and to School Food provision. TCF passed all these quality checks and have developed programmes that are regularly oversubscribed for Easter and summer HAF provision.
The TCF has continued its work with older people through the Walking Rugby programme, however the local leisure centres have not been used as a venue due to vastly increased costs to hire spaces. The Learners Trust has allowed us to use one of their venues at cost for the winter, and sessions take place at Clifton Lane during the summer.
As noted in the report for 2022/23 Rotherham became one of several authorities to be allocated funding through the Youth Investment Fund (YIF). An application was made by TCF, as an individual charity as. despite extensive consultations, the local council did not wish to engage in a partnership agreement to apply to this fund. TCF was successful in its application and was awarded over £600,000. However, legal issues regarding leases and subleases meant that this project, which should have been completed ready for the summer of 2024, was significantly delayed. This has had a considerable impact on the TCF’s finances in 2023/24 and building work will not commence until the next financial year.
Demolition was undertaken in the Spring, funded by TCF reserves and fully supported by the Board of Trustees. A site visit to a similar project at Bridlington showed trustees the quality of the build being undertaken, by the same contractors who would be working on the TCF build. It allowed trustees to ask questions regarding the process, reassure the Board of the viability of the project and pre-warned of some of the pitfalls to be avoided.
The appointment of Harvey Biljon as Head Coach of Rotherham Titans led to a dialogue between the playing side and TCF about opportunities to support the development of the TCF and the impact of the new building in the community. Included in the YIF funding was a revenue grant to support the need for an increase in staffing when the new building was open and allowed the expansion of posts offered as player coaches for the 2024/25 season. This was directly linked to the planned opening of The White Building due in summer 2024. The players who were recruited as coaches have undertaken training in youth work and have also allowed the Foundation to significantly increase its workload and expand the skill set of all the players. The support from Harvey and his direct engagement with TCF has created a partnership that can only strengthen both the Club and the charity.
Funds were received from bids to Coalfields Regeneration, ESC Lottery, South Yorkshire Community Fund (SYCF), Actis Charity and The Youth Investment Fund. We are extremely grateful to them all.
The TCF would like to acknowledge the general support of AESSEAL, Ex-Animo Foods Nicholas Associates, Jenkinson Insurance, Veezu and RNN Group. TCF also acknowledge the ongoing and generous contributions of our supporters through our Crowdfunder campaign, our SquadBuilder monthly lottery, and individual donations from supporters and events. The donations and support allow TCF to continue its work and offer opportunities to young people, schools and the community at minimal or no cost.
The financial results for the year are set out on page 4.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to follow the CBI's Prompt Payers Code (copies are available from the CBI, Centre Point, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU).
The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to:
settle the terms of payment with suppliers when agreeing the terms of each transaction;
ensure that suppliers are made aware of the terms of payment by inclusion of the relevant terms in contracts; and
pay in accordance with the company's contractual and other legal obligations.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Titans Community Foundation (the charity) for the year ended 30 June 2024.
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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 financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Titans Community Foundation is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Try Line, Clifton Lane Sports Centre, Badsley Moor Lane, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 2SN.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is charged to the statement of financial activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries, including both direct and support costs.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Income from charitable activities
Charitable expenditure
During the year, one trustee received £2,800 (2023 - nil) in respect of services provided to the charity. No trustees were reimbursed for expenses (2023 - nil).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Other expenses includes payments to the accountants of £1,000 (2023 - £1,000) in respect of independent examination fees.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Coalfields Regeneration - These funds were spent on staff wages and equipment.
ESC Lottery - These funds were spent on staff wages and equipment.
South Yorkshire SYCF - These funds contributed to the purchase of Cricket Sight Screens.
Actis Charity - This donation was given to the charity for the purchase of cricket equipment.
YIF Grant - These funds are being used on the replacement of the new premises- the white building, and the costs associated with this. Once the build is complete and the premises are available for use, there will be no restriction on use by the charity and so at this stage, the value will be transferred to unrestricted funds.
Freshgate Trust Foundation - These funds have been ring fenced for the purpose of the purchase of furniture for when the charity move into new premises in the next financial year.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
N Cragg is a director of the charity, during the year donations of £120 (2023 - £120) were received to help with the day to day running of the charity.
J Whaling is a director and secretary, during the year donations of £120 (2023 - 120) were received from J Whaling.
K Jones is a director of the charity, during the year £nil (2023 - £50) was received from the director. Also during the year, K Jones was paid £2,800 (2023-nil) as wages
J Watson is a director of the charity, during the year donations of £1,000 (2023 - £1,000) were received to help with the day to day running of the charity.
R Collinson is a director of the charity, during the year donations of £1,000 (2023 - £1,000) were received from the director to help with the day to day running of the charity.
A Holloway is a director of the charity, during the year donations of £nil (2023 - £60).