A Sunderland school has been honoured at the School Games Impact Awards 2026 for its work in strengthening partnerships and expanding opportunities for young people to overcome inequalities through sport.
Farringdon Community Academy Recognised
Farringdon Community Academy received the Engaging Stakeholders Award, judged by the Youth Sport Trust and partners, at a ceremony held at Telford International Centre on Tuesday 2 June. The award celebrates the school's 'Lets get Sunderland out of Red – Steering Group' project, which brought together multiple agencies to promote collective action for improving health and community outcomes.
Inspired by Personal Experience
Amy McCulloch, 42, originally from Newcastle but now working in Sunderland as a School Games Organiser (SGO), led the project. She was inspired by her son's relationship with sport. McCulloch said: "My 10-year-old son Dominic is autistic, nonverbal and has a condition called Pica, where he eats non-edible things. When he plays football or has one-to-one swimming lessons, he has the biggest beaming smile and even though he can't communicate, I can see he loves every second of it. He's able to communicate with me more when he's in a sporting environment, and his story shows the power of sport for our young people."
Impact on Vulnerable Youth
The project strengthened pathways and joint initiatives, maximising its impact on vulnerable or left-behind young people while uniting various organisations to tackle inequalities. McCulloch expressed pride in representing her home region and receiving recognition for expanding opportunities through sport. She added: "Tyne and Wear has my heart, and all the SGOs work really, really hard. I think we deserve this award. Sometimes the other areas are scared to apply for awards, but we do some great work and this feels like a massive reward."
Awards Ceremony Highlights
The awards concluded with a keynote speech from former Team England basketball player Daniel Edozie. The event honoured educational professionals who have promoted mental and physical wellbeing while addressing inequalities through sport and physical exercise. Clare Warburton, who leads the School Games Mark at the Youth Sport Trust, praised the impactful work of educational professionals outside the classroom. Warburton said: "Young people are designed to move, and whether that's through community sport or physical activity, each time a young person is active they are moving their minds and building relationships. We've got some tremendous School Games Organisers and Active Partnerships that are absolutely wonderful, and it has been great to celebrate with everyone."
