YOUNG sportspeople at a century-old youth club have a new place to play.
The Bradby Club, which marked its 100th anniversary last year, raised over £80,000 to refurbish its ball court and multi-use games area – adding AstroTurf as the playing surface.
It was officially opened by old Bradby boy and major project donor Richard Overson, Mayor Bill Lewis and staff from AMV Playgrounds.
Once the ribbon had been cut, an exhibition football match was played between a team comprising ex-Bradby members, staff and volunteers against members of Warwickshire Police’s Rugby Safer Neighbourhood teams.
In 2018, Bradby members voted for the club’s ball court and kitchen as top priorities for a revamp. The kitchen was refurbished and modernised last March.
Centre Manager John Robertson said: “We never expected to be able to undertake both improvements within the same calendar year, but nonetheless Bradby staff, volunteers, trustees and fundraisers worked tirelessly to bring young people’s aspirations to fruition.
“Young people have benefited greatly from the new kitchen, cooking meals and baking cakes on a regular basis and learning valuable life skills.
“And thanks to the new ball court, local young people will hugely benefit from improved sporting opportunities and activities at the club for years to come.”
He thanked Richard Overson, the Sport England Community Asset Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund and the Central Committee of Rugby Clubs for funding the project, AMV Playgrounds for installing the new games area, and all the young people and Bradby team members who contributed.
