Press release

2nd May 2006

BARCLAYS BOOsTS COMMUNITY SPORTS IN
freethorpe


Communities surrounding Freethorpe are set for a healthy 2006 as work begins on creating fantastic new sports facilities in their neighbourhood.

Freethorpe Village Hall has received £50,000 in funding from Barclays Spaces for Sports, a new three-year, £30m community sponsorship programme to create and improve sports facilities in communities across the UK. The programme is a partnership between Barclays, Groundwork and the Football Foundation.

This funding combined with £29,000 from Sport England and an amazing fundraising effort from the local community of £8,000 will ensure that a fantastic facility is created.

Local residents will be working with environmental charity Groundwork to create the new site that will see a Multi Use Games Area installed at the already popular recreation ground. The facility will create opportunities for training and coaching in a variety of sports including Futsal, Hockey and Tennis.

Not only will the project encourage people to take up sport and improve their health, it will also bring people together and strengthen community spirit. The project will work to ensure long term activity on the facilities and will provide coaching kit and equipment to encourage residents to take part and get the most out of the new facilities.

Project manager Stephen Smith of Freethorpe Village Hall said “Our experience shows that people really value the opportunity to have a say in improving their neighbourhoods and make them better places to live, work and play. Getting involved in these projects gives people confidence and makes us all feel proud of where we live.”

Louise Browne, Cashier at Acle Branch, said, “Barclays Spaces for Sports will create hundreds of new sports sites up and down the country. Our aim is to have a significant and long-lasting impact on local communities and grassroots sport throughout the UK for many years to come. I am delighted that the staff at Acle branch and the surrounding area are able to support this fantastic facility."

Ends

For further information please contact:
Kate Kingshott Regional Community Relations Manager,
Mobile 07775 555722

Notes to editors
A partnership between Barclays, Groundwork and the Football Foundation, Barclays Spaces for Sports will deliver more than 50 sports facilities each year from large sports based regeneration projects to multi use games areas offering basketball, netball, tennis through to skateboard and BMX tracks. Every site will be supplied with sports equipment and support such as coaching to help the community get the most out of the new facilities. In addition 1,200 coaching kit and equipment packs will be distributed each year to teams and groups in most need across the UK.

The Barclays Premiership and Barclays Spaces for Sports make Barclays one of the UK’s biggest supporters, investing £87m over three years.

For more information visit www.barclays.co.uk/spacesforsports