Launch of new multi-use games area

A new multi-use games area in Radlett will be formally opened on Friday 27 October after the Council received thousands of pounds worth of funding.

The games area at the Phillimore Recreation Ground is the work of Aldenham Parish Council, in partnership with Hertsmere Borough Council, Barclays and Groundwork Hertfordshire, the county’s leading environmental regeneration charity.

At the launch there will be free taster sessions at the facility, which comprises a tennis court and an adjacent basketball/football practice area, both with new fencing and access suitable for all users. Senior coaches from local clubs including Watford Football Club, The West Herts Warriors and Radlett Tennis Club will conduct all sessions.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Hertsmere, Councillors Martin and Jean Heywood, will formally launch the scheme and there will be free food during the event.

The project has received £50,000 funding from Barclays Spaces for Sports, a new three-year, £30m community sponsorship programme to create and improve sports facilities in communities across the UK. The programme is a partnership between Barclays, Groundwork and the Football Foundation. 

Aldenham Parish Council, in partnership with Hertsmere Borough Council have secured a further £20,000 from the programme over three years to develop community sports projects at the new facility.

Paul Backman, Sports Development Officer at Hertsmere Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to have received this funding and the money will go towards developing more community sports projects which will benefit people across the Borough.

“The programme is aimed at young people aged between eight and 16-years-old, and will involve a coaching programme with qualified trainers. The weekly programme will formally start in November, although we’ll be launching it at this event.”

Lynda Dobranja, Barclays Community Relations Officer for London and Southern Region, said: “Barclays Spaces for Sports will create hundreds of new sports sites up and down the country. Our aim is to have a significant and long-lasting impact on local communities and grassroots sport throughout the UK for many years to come."

Geoff Bunce, Community Team Leader at Groundwork Hertfordshire, said: “Our experience shows that people really value the opportunity to have a say in improving their neighbourhoods and make them better places to live, work and play. Getting involved in these projects gives people confidence and makes us all feel proud of where we live.”

The opening of the site has been scheduled for Friday 27 October between midday and 3pm at the Phillimore Recreation Ground on Gills Hill Lane, Radlett.

Notes to editors
A partnership between Barclays, Groundwork and the Football Foundation, Barclays Spaces for Sports will deliver more than 50 sports facilities each year from large sports based regeneration projects to multi-use games areas offering basketball, netball, tennis through to skateboard and BMX tracks. Every site will be supplied with sports equipment and support such as coaching to help the community get the most out of the new facilities. In addition 1,200 coaching kit and equipment packs will be distributed each year to teams and groups in most need across the UK.

The Barclays Premiership and Barclays Spaces for Sports make Barclays one of the UK’s biggest supporters, investing £87m over three years.

For more information visit www.barclays.co.uk/spacesforsports