Tony Blair made a pledge to help the Westway Sports Centre as part of the Pledgebank project. Here is more about Westway, and three other schemes which are set to benefit from celebrity patronage.
Westway - derelict site is now a sporting winner
What was once a derelict strip of land under a West London flyover was transformed into an award-winning sports centre in 2001. A year later it was chosen for Time Out’s award for the most community aware facility.
The project cost £10m - £8.3m of which came from Lottery funding through Sport England - and included the provision of five artificial floodlit pitches, the UK’s largest climbing wall, 12 tennis courts both indoor and outdoor, handball fives courts, a gym, netball and basketball facilities and a café and a bar.
Run by a development trust, the superb facility now provides a multi sport environment giving opportunities to the community and local residents to develop their sporting talent and have fun while being active.
The centre is home to one of the LTA’s performance centres, with some youngsters training full time at the centre. The results are impressive with some of Westway’s 600 young tennis players now ranked among the top juniors in the country. Similarly a number of young climbers have also made it into the British climbing team.
To encourage participation by all, reduced prices are available to individuals with disabilities, those receiving benefits, the over 60s and full-time students. More than 400,000 people use Westway every year, including 98,000 who used the climbing facilities and around 600 children who receive tennis coaching each week. Some 140 football teams also play on the artificial pitches every week.
West London Sharks
Established in 1997 by Bev Risman (ex RU and RL International), initially as a senior club. In the last 5 years has become a thriving junior club as well as having two mens’ and women’s teams.
The Sharks juniors are supported by the Harlequins RL, London’s Super League club who provide complete support and deliver the school programmes in the area through their community department, in particular through school to club links.
The Sharks junior teams play in the London Junior League which has grown from 12 teams in 2003 to 30 teams, players are offered a season of club Rugby League across London and also a comprehensive player pathway and representative programme.
Last year West London Sharks had 34 players selected onto the performance pathway, 15 of which are on Harlequins RL scholarships and 2 have made the national squads for their age groups.
Junior Secretary Claire Stevens:
"It is hoped Claire (Balding) will be able to support the club by helping to raise the profile of the club and the sport of Rugby League in the local area. We are trying to provide the best possible environment for young people from the local community to enjoy and achieve in Rugby League, having someone of Claire’s standing will help us to get this message across to people. Claire has proved extremely popular in her outstanding presentation of the sport and is a recognisable face to our young players and fans of Rugby League."
Eastcote Cricket Club
Formed in 1863, initially as a men’s cricket club, Eastcote has been thriving in the Northwood and Pinner areas since that time.
Operating from two sites, the club now has three senior mens’ teams, plus a series of junior teams from under 10 through to under 17 and is also hoping to establish women’s cricket from next year onwards.
The club works with a range a range of schools in the Hillingdon area and a number of players have represented Middlesex at junior and senior levels.
Mr Faisal Saleem, Club President, said:
"We are looking to forward to working with David Collier as part of the Prime Minister’s Pledge scheme. We believe this will help us develop the club into the future, attracting more young people from all walks for life."
The club opens throughout the year, offering indoor cricket in winter with coaching, as well as a range of summer activities. The club has around 50 adult members, around 160 juniors and 150 social members, many of whom are also volunteers at the club.
PELO - Positive Education Learning Organisation
PELO was founded in 1995 by Mario Fauvrelle after a number of people approached him saying young people in the area needed more opportunities to get active, stay busy and get ahead in life.
Originally based in the Dulwich area, PELO now attracts youngsters from further afield, including Norwood, and throughout Southwark & Lambeth. Activities are primarily based in Dulwich Park and include football, running / athletics, basketball, volleyball, dance and multi-cultural celebratory events.
PELO is targeted at deprived youngsters (around 95 per cent) and has around 1100 attendees, all from diverse backgrounds, at events both mid-week (i.e. after school) and at weekends. It is primarily volunteer based.
As well as sports activities, PELO also provide advice on educational opportunities, and helps its young members develop leadership, team work and other life skills through sport and volunteering. It has found a number of young people exist routes to education and employment, for example through coaching courses.
Founder Mario Fauvrelle, said:
"I want to inspire these youngsters to get active and help them engage in the community in a positive way and learn new skills. Taking part in the scheme can help PELO continue to develop, transform more youngsters’ lives and create a stronger, safer community."
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