Witney News - Game on for sports clubs in West Oxfordshire

Game on for sports clubs in West Oxfordshire

Sports clubs in West Oxfordshire were bowled over after being set to receive funding to the tune of £61,000 to update their facilities.

Freeland Parish Council is in line to receive £50,000 from the Community Facilities Grant towards building a much-needed community recreation facility in the village.

The village currently has no supporting facilities for community recreation and the seven football and cricket teams, which range from junior to adult level, are sharing a temporary portakabin costing £500 a month to rent.

The proposed new recreation building will not only provide changing rooms for the sports clubs but also rooms that can be used for various groups including the photography club.

Lisa Smith, Parish Clerk at Freeland Parish Council said: “The grant funding will really help the village develop its fast growing sports clubs by helping us house, educate and attract more members of the community to sports and other recreation activities.

“Not only will sports and recreational clubs benefit but also the wider local community. We have a primary school in the village which at present does not have adequate sporting facilities – this grant will allow us to cultivate a greater understanding of sports with these young people by creating sporting workshops which will include training and coaching, as well as attracting further involvement from neighbouring communities who would benefit from a safe and secure environment."

Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Sport is a great way to build bonds and bring communities together. These grants are part of our commitment to supporting local communities and encouraging participation in sports and recreation in our District. We are proud to support clubs and associations in this way and know that funding will be of great assistance to each of them.”

Bampton in the Bush Cricket Club are set to be awarded just over £9,500 towards equipment that will ensure the club meets the basic standards required for local league cricket.

The club runs teams for all age groups and are forced to train using equipment in poor condition. They have also had to cancel games in the past due to a lack of wicket covers during wet weather.

The club, which boasts 160 members, is now in a position to purchase a sight screen, score board, wicket covers and a bowling machine.

Budding young cricketers from Combe Junior Sports are set to secure £2,000 towards developing their training facilities. With the club attracting an increasing number of members their current facilities were unable to cope with the demand and potentially forcing many youngsters to travel out of the village to play.

However, the funding will allow them to expand their single lane facility to a double that would offer better quality coaching sessions and contribute to allowing youth cricket in Combe to flourish.

The grant decision was made by the Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 23 May and is subject to the usual call in period.