Best chance for local schools and the community to access vacant sports facilities

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When Leeds Girls High School relocated from Leeds 6 to newly built premises in
Alwoodley, their biggest legacy was an expanse of playing pitches and vacated
sports facilities in South Headingley / Hyde Park.

While
negotiations to do with the planning application on the main site go on, the
frustration for many people in the area is seeing these protected playing
pitches and useful buildings sitting unused, especially given the lack of
sports facilities available to nearby primary schools.

Recently a
group of sports organisations made enquiries with the school and their agents
about taking on the running of the sports hall as a charitable organisation, with
the possibility of providing activities on the adjoined playing pitch. The
sports hall and swimming pool complex had been offered for free to community
groups who could afford to run them at a public meeting on December
the 9^th 2009.

Under the
umbrella collective of SPHERE; which stands for Sports Health & Recreation; Futsal Leeds, who promote a
street-smart, FIFA approved version 5-a-side football which originated from South
America, and Active Learning - a multi-sports coaching agency who provide
physical education for schools, after school clubs and holiday camps, are
formulating a joint bid to bring these sports facilities to life for the school
children, young people and for the wider community.

The idea is
that the sports hall and the playing pitch could be used by the local schools, the
disabled and the elderly during the day for a variety of activities. Free after
school clubs would run for kids in the area between 4-6pm every weekday. Holiday clubs would be run out of term
time. Bookings for the public and other sporting organisations would take place
after 6pm and during weekends.

The centre
would also offer an excellent base for any existing club in the area, would
provide volunteering opportunities and give residents a chance to try a variety
of sports and disciplines they might not have the space or impetuous to try
otherwise.

The emphasis
of the centre would be on team sports, especially: football, cricket and
basketball. The availability of these facilities would likely stimulate the development
of additional sports clubs and would be used for general youth development. The
centre would also be geared toward educating people of all ages on healthy
living, aiming to challenge and motivate young people allowing them to
experience different types of enjoyable activities in a safe, friendly
environment.

Given the
existing lack of playing pitches and sports facilities in the area, and in view
of the fact that life expectancy in inner city areas is 10 years less than it
is in the suburbs we feel that this use of the facilities is the best possible
option for the area.

We are
holding a public meeting to discuss bid our bid. We are looking for more people
to be involved. The centre will provide many opportunities for individuals or
groups promoting any sport. Anyone interested in starting or developing a
sports club from this site or using the facilities we would like to hear from
you!

A public meeting to
discuss the community bid for these sports facilities will take place on

 Wednesday 2^nd February 

between 7.30-9.30 at
Wrangthorn Church Hall (behind the One Stop on Hyde Park corner).

For more information
contact:

Martin@Futsal-Leeds.org
or JohnFutsal@mail.com