The Isle of Wight Basketball Club has launched a fundraising appeal to improve and refurbish a much used multi-use games area (MUGA) in Freshwater.
Basketball is a popular sport on the Isle of Wight, with around 350 members of the Isle of Wight Basketball Club - including around 60 children.
Having mainly been based at Cowes, the Moa Place facility in West Wight is now used by the club - but it is in need of urgent repair.
Having been unable to play or train properly due to the COVID pandemic, the club said that there is more emphasis than ever on getting people together to play and stay fit.
The area requires a new floor, new line markings, with new backboards hoops and nets. Additional repairs to the surrounding boarding that are also needed could give the opportunity for local companies to utilise them for advertisements.
The club said its aims are:
- To a raise a target of £10,000 towards the cost of improvements.
- Improve and repair existing conditions, improve court surface, replace backboards, hoops with more modern sustainable materials.
- To improve the court area and make it more accessible for local community sports groups of all ages.
- To revive a competitive Basketball League on the Island; improve overall participation with a view of extending the project to other courts on the Island.
- Involve the whole community, create links for example with the new primary school being constructed in Freshwater, as well as the sports hub at West Wight Community Sports Centre, the skate park and playing fields nearby.
A spokesperson for the club, said:
"Many of us have benefitted from playing basketball - whether for fun, to keep active or for the passion to play at a higher level.
"Some young Islanders have been lucky enough to play in junior national league programmes and go on to play in senior sides, at colleges and in university teams. Some have even fortunate enough to go to play in America, as well as representing the Island team at either local or International level - including the Island Games.
"Currently, there is only one basketball court with community access on the Isle of Wight. There are other courts within school grounds that are closed off for public use. Indoor courts run as part of leisure centres are at a premium due to the lack of accessibility at schools and therefore demand is high for all indoor-based sports.
"The MUGA at Freshwater is in a dilapidated state and in need of regeneration. We have the permission of Freshwater Parish Council to bring the area up to a new and improved standard for community use.
"With the Commonwealth Games approaching at the end of July, the surge in interest and popularity of 3 x 3 Basketball will engage people of all ages, especially the young. We are trying to provide the community with the facilities to aid that interest."
You can support and donate to the cause here - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/project-wight-hoops
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
Police Respond To Anti-Social Behaviour Involving Electric Motorbikes In Puckpool
New Records Set Following ‘Extraordinary’ Walk The Wight
Appeal Launched Following Ryde Cashpoint Theft
Islanders Urged To Make Sure They're 'Emergency Ready'
Cast Your Vote For New Sea Defence Scheme To Win People's Choice Award
Operation Sceptre - A Number Of Surrender Bins Across Isle Of Wight
Man Jailed For Ryde Burglary And Knife Offences
Top Marks For Gurnard Primary Playground Project
Marathon Runners Raising Funds For Isle Of Wight Youth Trust As Part Of Mental Health Awareness Week
Body Of Man In 40s Discovered Following Brighstone Fire
Food And Fuel Support Extended For Island Families In Need
Hovertravel Releases More Than 60 Late Flights For July And August
