A new state-of-the-art multi-sports hub in Birtley has
opened after benefitting from Sport England’s Olympic legacy Iconic
Facilities fund.
Birtley Young People’s Club received £573,610 of National
Lottery investment from the Iconic Facilities fund, part of the
Places People Play legacy programme that is bringing the magic of a
home Olympic and Paralympic Games into communities across the
country.
As one of the top amateur boxing clubs in the country, the club
has a strong reputation for its community links and a rich history
having produced world-class athletes including Commonwealth bronze
medallist, Andrew McLean.
Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis, said:
“I’m delighted that our National Lottery investment has helped
deliver a state-of-the-art multi-sports facility, which is giving
many young people in Birtley the opportunity to take part in
sport.
“Birtley’s track record of producing champions shows how, with
the right facilities and support in place, young people’s talent
can be nurtured to deliver the medal-winners of tomorrow. With
London 2012 fast approaching, the club is a shining example of how
we’re helping transform the places where people play sport and
deliver a lasting legacy beyond London 2012.”
The new facility for boxing, judo and football includes:
Two gyms
Three boxing rings
Two junior grass pitches
An education/conference room
Office and classroom space.
Ron Rowe, Secretary and Head Senior Coach at Birtley Young
People’s Club, said:
“The club aims to provide both a venue and an opportunity to
enable children of all ages and from a diverse range of backgrounds
to stay healthy and fit and socialise in a safe environment.
“Over 150 local youngsters attend the club, and although some of
these have gone on to compete internationally, the club is
primarily community focused and aims to promote health and fitness
to youngsters.”
The facility will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark,
celebrating the link to the Games – and Birtley Young People’s Club
has also received Inspire mark recognition for its work delivering
its Liberty Project to disadvantaged and marginalised groups across
the regions.
Sport England is currently inviting bids to the second £10
million funding round of Iconic Facilities, which will support
multi-sport facilities that help increase participation and deliver
a sustainable sporting legacy beyond 2012.
Places People Play is being delivered by Sport England. We are
working in partnership with the British Olympic Association (BOA)
and the British Paralympic Association (BPA) with the backing of
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic
Games (LOCOG) and the London 2012 Inspire mark.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Iconic Facilities
Iconic Facilities is part of the Places People Play legacy
programme. At least £30 million of Lottery funding will be invested
through Iconic Facilities. The second of three rounds of Iconic
Facilities opened to applications on 10 October 2011 and will be
accepted via Sport England’s website until 5pm, 19 December 2011.
Applicants interested in the fund can apply for grants between
£250,000 and £3 million; successful bidders will have projects that
are regionally significant for at least two sports and demonstrate
long-term financial viability. For more details, visit
www.sportengland.org/funding
Sport England
Sport England is focused on the delivery of a mass participation
legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We invest
National Lottery and Exchequer funding in organisations and
projects that will grow and sustain participation in grassroots
sport and create opportunities for people to excel at their chosen
sport.
For more information please contact the press office: Peter
Dickinson on 020 7273 1800 or Amy Wright on 020 7273 1593.