World champion's support for youth and sports centre

ATHLETICS champion Jessica Ennis has given her backing to plans for a new £2m youth and sports centre in a Sheffield neighbourhood close to where she grew up.

The heptathlete, who holds both the World and European titles, said the project in the city's Lowfield Park would provide much-needed opportunities in a deprived area.

Ultra-modern facilities at the U-Mix centre would include a floodlit all-weather synthetic sports pitch and an indoor facility for dance, the performing arts, education and training.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ennis met young people who had helped with the project's design earlier this week and said: "I grew up in the Sharrow area of Sheffield, and the U-Mix centre would literally have been a stone's throw away from our family home.

"Sharrow is very diverse, and the centre will be great way for people from different backgrounds to mix together.

"When I was growing up there weren't many spaces to play sport, so this is a very exciting project, and a massive incentive for young people throughout the area to become involved in sporting activities.

"I am especially impressed that local young people have been so heavily involved in planning the design, and also in what will happen at the centre once open."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A 350,000 grant has already been secured from the Football Foundation to provide an all-weather synthetic sports pitch with floodlights.

Alongside the outdoor facilities, the proposals also include a new building which would house changing rooms, a studio for dance and performing arts, space for training opportunities, library resources and a chill-out area.

The project is being led by award-winning community initiative Football Unites Racism Divides (FURD), together with council-run Sheffield Futures and Activity Sheffield.

Further funding from the Department of Education worth 2m was agreed in principle in March, and the team is now waiting to see if the grant will be confirmed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

FURD director Howard Holmes said: "Jessica's backing has come at a crucial time for this exciting project. She is a very positive model for young people in Sheffield, and it's fantastic to have her support."

Related topics: