PR Date: Wednesday, 16 December 2020 - 2:15pm
North Herts District Council (NHDC)’s Southern Rural committee has awarded grant funding totalling £2,350 to the FC Comets, Knebworth Football Club and Offley Primary School at its virtual meeting on 10 December*.
The FC Comets were awarded £800 to purchase a new set of metal goal posts to facilitate 5 a-side games of football. The goals will be used by 30-40 children each year and have a long life of at least 10 years.
The club run football teams for children and young people aged 6 to 18 years old and are based at Ickleford Sports & Recreation Ground.
Christopher White said: “Purchasing new goals allows FC Comets to expand our football activities to include new U7s and U8s teams. Allowing children to learn to love sport at this age can create a lifelong legacy. We are extremely grateful for the support of NHDC’s Southern Rural Committee to support of FC Comets’ voluntary activities”
Knebworth FC will receive £300 to purchase two temporary shelters for use on match days, as they are currently unable to use the changing rooms at the Pavilion, Knebworth Recreation Ground due to Coronavirus social distancing restrictions.
The shelters will also provide cover for players in wetter weather. Knebworth Football Club provide football activities for boys and girls from the age of three through to our Seniors and Veterans teams; the Club is run entirely by volunteers.
Stuart Biddle, Chairman of the Club said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the NHDC Councillors for their support in keeping our members playing the sport they love at this challenging time.”
Offley Primary were awarded £1250 to set up an out of hours afterschool club to serve the children whose parents who live in the village of Offley and surrounding areas and work full time.
The grant will be used to purchase Covid safe furnishings such as wipe down large bean bags and pop-up tents with fairy lights, outdoor play equipment and a storage shed.
The club will be open to the 120+ pupils that attend the School, who come from Offley, Lilley, Hitchin, Hexton and other parts of North Herts.
Mr Edwards, Headteacher at the school said: 'Offley Endowed Primary School and Nursery have recently opened 'Jesters', our after-school provision to help our working families. We were keen to add additional games, soft furnishings, outdoor equipment and other resources to make the experience even more enjoyable for the children. We also strive to encourage more families to return to work; safe in the knowledge that their children have many opportunities to thrive in the care of our dedicated staff. We are very grateful to North Herts District Council for awarding the school a community grant to help us achieve these goals. Many thanks from all of the staff and children at Offley.'
Cllr Claire Strong, Chair of NHDC’s Southern Rural Committee said: “Southern Rural committee are pleased to be able to support these community groups in these difficult times who are providing childcare and sporting activities outside school hours. Participation in regular exercise for adults and children is shown to have benefits for not only fitness but mental health as well."
If you represent an independent and not-for-profit organisation working for the benefit of local communities in North Hertfordshire and you think your organisation could benefit from a community grant, go to our website here for more information: www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/community/grants/community-grants
*Subject to completion of the necessary formalities
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