Northumberland-based Cramlington Rockets have received a huge boost from the National Lottery backed, Big Lottery Fund who has awarded the club £10,000.

Working with the RFL, the club submitted an application for funding to support the continued growth of Rockets Community, the club’s award-winning schools-based programme.

The funding will now enable the Community Team to expand their network of partner schools across Northumberland, providing coaching throughout the school year across a number of age groups.

New equipment will also be purchased thanks to the grant as well as a fun festival to be arranged for those who the Rockets engage throughout the year.

The grant was part of an amazing £51 million given out across the country. Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund England grant making director said: “So many local community organisations are enabling people and communities to grow together bringing positive changes to their lives and futures. It’s wonderful to hear the stories of how through these great projects people have overcome barriers, learned new skills and improved their lives.

Steve Beaty, Rockets Community manager added: “This support means the world to us. It will help us continue to do what we love, which is introducing people to rugby league and Cramlington Rockets and the values that brings. Rockets Community is a very special organisation that is going from strength to strength and the support of the Big Lottery Fund is a huge endorsement for everyone involved.”