Work gets underway on 3G pitch and fitness suite in Tullycarnet
Sports enthusiasts in the Tullycarnet area are overjoyed as construction gets underway on a new third generation (3G) synthetic pitch.
A lack of floodlit and affordable facilities in the Tullycarnet area has made it difficult for local clubs to progress and develop grass roots sports. Hanwood Trust made were successful in obtaining £1.4million from the Sport Northern Ireland Building Sport Programme, £60k from the Department for Social Development and £16k from Better Belfast for a new 3G synthetic pitch, changing rooms and community fitness suite.
Pictured left to right are: Tullycarnet Community Football Team player George McKenzie, Nick Harkness, Director of Participation Sport Northern Ireland, Harry Flynn, Chairman Tullycarnet Community Football Team, David Hassard, Chairman Hanwood Trust Board and William Gorman, player Tullycarnet Community Football Team.
At present the Tullycarnet Community Football Team, which has four teams Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s and an Over 18 team has no home pitch to train on and Harry Flynn, Manager at Tullycarnet Community Football Team spoke of the impact the new facilities will make:
“The new 3G pitch will make a tremendous impact on all the teams; it will be great to have a home pitch to train on. Currently the Under 14 team is made up of both girls and boys and I hope the new facilities will increase the number of females participating in the sport”.
The new facilities will also be a welcome boost to Our Lady and St. Patrick's School and Tullycarnet Primary School which has no home pitch to train and many others in the Tullycarnet area as David Hassard, Chairman of Hanwood Trust explains:
“The 3G pitch has unlimited hours of use and will therefore allow for a range of organisations to avail of it; including governing bodies of sports, club use, community activities, diversionary activities and other interventions through sport.”
He added: “The community fitness suite will be a major asset to the Hanwood Trust offering facilities for governing bodies of sport, clubs, women’s groups, casual users and accommodating a GP referral programme.”
Speaking on their investment in this project, Eamonn McCartan Chief Executive of Sport Northern Ireland commented: “This project has been developed by the community for the community and will be owned and managed by the community. It will provide opportunities for participation from grass roots to elite sports development. This project crosses many agendas such as health and education, as well as addressing social need. It is a very exciting time for this community and I look forward to seeing this project progressing.”
In addition to the funding of £1.4million for facilities, Sport Northern Ireland will fund a Sports Development Officer for a five year period. Their role will be to roll out after school clubs, multi-skill clubs and introduce new sporting activities by working in partnership with the local schools, Castlereagh Borough Council and other statutory agencies. This will be supported by continuous professional development and coach education programmes that will be delivered at the facility.
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