Basketball club becomes region 's 1,000th Armed Forces Covenant signee
A Birmingham basketball club has become the 1,000th organisation in the West Midlands to pledge support to the armed forces community through the Armed Forces Covenant.
West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (WM RFCA) welcomed the City of Birmingham Rockets basketball club as the 1,000th signee of the Covenant.
The Covenant was introduced by the Ministry of Defence in 2014 and is used across the country for businesses to pledge their support to the armed forces family.
Organisations who hold a Covenant recognise the value serving personnel - both regular and reserve - veterans and military families contribute to their business and the country.
Founded in 2003 by the chief executive Robert Palmer, the Rockets have a substantial community programme that engages more than 1,500 young people each week.
The Nechells-based Rockets also have 16 men 's, women 's and youth teams competing nationally and an educational academy programme which provides elite level basketball in partnership with academic delivery.
The covenant signing took place at the WM RFCA 's Harborne headquarters, with the Rockets represented by first team players and serving military personnel Jordan Dawes and Samuel Toluwase.
Robert Palmer and chairman Kirk Dawes signed the covenant alongside SMR Commander Steve Henaghen of the Royal Navy.
Mr Palmer said: “This is an extremely special moment for our organisation.
“Here at City of Birmingham Rockets, we work with over 1,500 young people each week from the diverse backgrounds and communities of Birmingham.
“We utilise our consistent core values of integrity, respect and commitment, which we believe align closely with those of the Armed Forces, to create a positive, equitable and disciplined environment. We teach leadership, independent thinking and use team work to help our young people realise their full potential by working together.
“My own father served as a Royal Marine, and with a serving soldier and marine currently representing the club in our first teams, I am very aware of the significant sacrifices that Armed Forces personnel and their families make in carrying out their services and duties.
“As part of our pledge on signing the covenant, we commit to being Armed Forces friendly and will ensure that no member of the Armed Forces shall face any disadvantages compared to any other citizen when accessing our services. We are committed to supporting military personnel, their families and Reservists. ”
Colonel Richard Maybery, chief executive of West Midland RFCA, who are patrons of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Rockets and the Armed Forces have much in common, not least their values and standards, the developmental opportunities they open up to young (and not so young) people, and their desire to engage with and reflect the community.
“They are a great example of what an Armed Forces friendly and supportive organisation should be and we look forward to continuing to build on our relationship with them. ”
To find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant contact the West Midland RFCA Employer Engagement Team on [email protected].
Pictured: Robert Palmer, SMR Commander Steve Henaghen and Kirk Dawes