Carlisle United Community Sports Trust were awarded the Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Award at Thursday's Cumbria Sports Awards 2026 at Energus Campus in Workington.
The CST were nominated in the category alongside West Cumbria Women & Girls Touch Rugby and Workington Town Community Trust.
The award recognises all of the exceptional work carried out by the Community Sports Trust to include all members of our local community. They run a wide range of projects weekly to support those who need it the most.
Projects such as the Premier League Kicks programme, the Football For All project, Veterans sessions, Walking Football and Netball, Mental Health Football, as well as the monthly United in Memories Dementia cafe, evidence the extraordinary work that the Trust do to champion diversity and inclusion within the local community.
The Club and Trust also work collaboratively on Matchdays to showcase and highlight various EDI initiatives in the Northern Competitions Fan Zone. Each game has a designated EDI theme, and all activities on that day will highlight that topic. Club and Trust EDI Lead, Teresa Mulholland, alongside a team of volunteers champion organisations and educate the fanbase on a vast range of topics throughout the season.
A recent example of this was Green Football Weekend - read more HERE about the Club and CST's support of Green Football Weekend.
On receiving the award, Community Sports Trust CEO, James Tose, said: “We’re incredibly proud to receive the Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Award at the Cumbria Sports Awards 2026. This recognition reflects the commitment of our staff, partners and participants who make our programmes what they are. At Carlisle United Community Sports Trust, inclusion isn’t a single project - it’s embedded in everything we do, and our aim is simple: to ensure everyone in our community feels they belong, are valued, and have the opportunity to take part"
Director of Governance, Safeguarding and EDI, Teresa Mulholland, added: "This recognition reflects a shared commitment across Carlisle United to ensure sport is truly inclusive, welcoming and accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. As a Community Sports Trust and Club, we continue to break down barriers, champion diversity, and create environments where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered"