Olympics legacy of £1.4m boost for Yorkshire

Up to £50,000 has been awarded to each of 29 groups across the region to build new venues and improve existing ones through the charity’s Inspired Facilities programme.

Among the recipients was Aspire Gymnastics Club in Hull, which will receive £50,000 to transform an industrial unit at St John’s Business Park into a new gymnastics centre.

Chairwoman Jean Laws said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can upgrade the quality of our premises to match the quality of our gymnastics coaches. It is the vision of Aspire Gymnastics Club to provide an outstanding facility for the 2012 Olympics’ legacy.”

The new venue, like every sports facility that receives funding, will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark – celebrating the link to the Games.

Hull East MP Karl Turner, said: “Olympic legacy funding from Sport England is perfectly placed to increase Hull’s strong sporting tradition.

“I am eager to see a dedicated fit for purpose gymnastics facility that will undoubtedly benefit our young people as well as the whole community.”

Archery group the Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has also been awarded close to £50,000.

The grant will pay for an anti-vandal welfare unit with a disabled toilet, changing facilities, meeting room and kitchen at its range near Meltham.

Club secretary Paul McGuire said: “All that is left to do now is to secure planning permission for the new facilities on the range, although with changing rooms on sports grounds now being a priority and with the level of support we have from within our local community we are very hopeful that this will be granted soon.”

Junior footballers at Queensbury Celtic Football Club in Bradford are also celebrating being awarded £50,000 to upgrade their indoor training hall.

Secretary Robin Naylor said: “We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means quality football coaching will be available to young people at Queensbury Celtic FC, every day of the week throughout the year.

“The weather in Queensbury can be really atrocious. Being able to participate in sporting activity, in a high quality indoor facility, without worrying about the rain, wind and cold is a real bonus for the 300 youngsters who use the club and the 40 volunteer coaches who work with them.”

The Yorkshire projects are among 310 across the country to have been awarded National Lottery cash from the third round of Sport England’s Inspired Facilities funding, from which 1,000 clubs have benefited overall.

Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis, said: “This National Lottery investment is helping us deliver a lasting sporting legacy in the area from last year’s successful Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“With so many clubs in Yorkshire having benefitted from this fund already and building on the success of last summer, this is the legacy people want for their local community.”

Bids will be accepted for the fourth round of funding from March 4. For more information visit www.sportengland.org/inspired.

A full list of the region’s winners can be viewed on our website..