Campaign launched to create new state-of-the-art basketball court in Malvern - The Malvern Observer

Campaign launched to create new state-of-the-art basketball court in Malvern

Malvern Editorial 21st May, 2016 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to create a new state-of-the-art dedicated basketball court in Malvern after current facilities in the town were branded ‘poor’ and ‘dangerous’ for players.

Basketball enthusiasts and Malvern residents Jon May and Tom Bennett are currently in talks with local authorities and sporting bodies over their vision to develop a brand new basketball hub for the town which would be a gift for the whole community.

They say interest and demand in basketball in the town is as high as ever but currently there is no single place where people can go to play the ‘thriving’ sport.

The pair, who are part of the Malvern Hills Buzzards Basketball team, say it is their dream to give the community a brand new outdoor facility which would be used by generations to come.




A search is now underway to find a suitable location for the new court, which would also include a seating area, with a fund-raising appeal expected to be launched in the near future.

Currently there are basketball courts at Victoria Park, Malvern Cube, Dukes Meadow and Poolbrook but the campaigners say they are in poor condition, out-of-date, come into conflict with other sports such as football, and some have been the target of vandalism over many years.


Speaking to the Observer, Mr May said: “It would mean everything for us to get a brand new dedicated basketball court in Malvern.

“There is a lot of interest in basketball in the town and it is such a shame there is no single place in the town where it can be played.

“It’s got to a point where something needs to be done so we can ensure the interest of basketball remains high.

“All it takes is for one person playing basketball or doing a move to attract more people to play so if we had this facility, it would be very exciting for Malvern.

“Once we have had discussions with people we hope then to get financial support through grants and hopefully help from local businesses.”

Mr May and Mr Bennett have come up with a formal detailed proposal outlining why each of the courts are currently deemed inadequate and dangerous for the community to play.

Regarding the two courts on Victoria Park, the proposal document states: “However, despite their use the courts have suffered greatly over the years and the facilities are now in poor condition.”

The document also claims the Victoria Park courts have ‘never’ been maintained, its spotlights have never been turned on and night games in the summer have been disrupted because of complaints from nearby residents about noise.

They also say the court’s merger with a football area has caused ‘endless conflicts’ over the years with it impossible to play both sports at the same time – making it a ‘first come first served’ facility.

The campaigners hope to talk to Malvern Town Council, which owns the park, over the possibility of redeveloping the court.

The document also explains how Malvern Cube’s once thriving basketball hub was made into a car park which prevented play and its equipment became the target of vandalism.

The court at Dukes Meadow was also labelled ‘first come first served’ and because the baskets are above large metal goal frames, campaigners said players performing a ‘layup move’ could be left seriously injured as they could run and jump into the metal frames.

The document also shows a picture of a single basket at a Poolbrook playing field which is on thick grass and supported by a structure labelled with graffiti.

The report reads: “It is our request that Malvern invest in brand new, up-to-date facilities for the use of outdoor basketball in an attempt to not only enhance the experience for the towns current players but to also promote the sport as a way of encouragement for the next generation of basketball players.”

Campaigners had received an early setback in their plans after their hopes of securing land on Sling Lane Playing Fields collapsed after they were told the development is a football only site.

Initial ideas for locations include a complete redevelopment of Victoria Park, the grass bank near Malvern Cube and playing fields in Michael Crescent.

In Worcester basketball is very popular with packed crowds attending Worcester Wolves’ home matches in the British Basketball League.

To see the proposal in full visit the campaign’s Facebook page ‘Malvern Outdoor Basketball Campaign’ – https://www.facebook.com/malvernbasketball/.

 

Advertising

Advertise with the Malvern Observer to reach your audience

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Malvern Observer newspaper.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.