Sports clubs invited to facilities forum

Helping Redditch sports clubs identify opportunities to improve their facilities is on the agenda in the New Year.

Sports clubs and organisations can significantly bolster their plans when they show how those plans would help meet officially-identified needs.

That’s why Redditch Borough Council is now inviting local clubs to come to a special open meeting to discuss the borough’s own identified needs, and consider the opportunities they could present.

Redditch Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Leisure, Cllr Juliet Barker-Smith said: “Good sports facilities provide a multitude of opportunities in the community, and our goal here is to support our clubs to further improve and add to those facilities, which so many people in Redditch use and enjoy.

“The needs have been studied and we have official strategy documents in place. What we want is for our sports clubs and organisations to know what that looks like, because there is this official body of work to back up clubs with ambitions.

“That’s why we are extending this open invite to come and hear it explained and discuss the potential benefits. What if money were to become available from funding bodies, for example? I hope our clubs will come along and explore the possibilities.”

The forum, for which the council is now inviting expressions of interest from clubs ahead of an early 2025 date to be confirmed, will be based around opportunities in Redditch’s official Playing Pitch and Built Facility strategies.

The priorities those strategies indicate are based on independent, expert assessments of the quality, quantity, and accessibility of sports facilities in the area, in a process overseen by national sports governing bodies and endorsed by Sport England – and they are a formal consideration for authorities.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Joe Baker, added: “The work identifies clear needs and priorities in Redditch, which in turn can create opportunities for local clubs and partnerships who could address those needs. I would encourage all our clubs to come and listen and have a say.”

Sporting organisations can find out more and express an interest in receiving an invitation to the discussion by going to www.redditchbc.gov.uk/sd