Comments on: Adders Sponsors Withdraw Support

By: Mick Thomas

Mick Thomas — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:33:56 +0000

Geoff, It’s much more than participation – the impact that a successful sports club can have on a community is important as well. It fosters pride and within the community and generates interest beyond the town boundaries. That is turn can stimulate business and local industry, shops etc…. and the Town really needs that!!
Also, youngsters need something to aspire towards and successful sporting Clubs can provide a focus for their energy.
The local school is now entitled ‘Queen Elizabeth School & Sports College’ – they are looking to build an astro turf pitch on site and have identified funding from the school budget. They still need to access grants and other funding sources in order to fund their project, but once again have little or no support from the local council.

By: Geoff Wilding

Geoff Wilding — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:29:18 +0000

Ok , sport is good! But I for one do not participate in any sport and I suspect neither does the majority of the population.
Why then should my council tax money go to these minority interests ?
On the other hand I do support the provision of more general facilities for youngsters.

By: Mr Bloggs

Mr Bloggs — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:42:43 +0000

Typical council not willing to help out it’s local community, the town is getting worse each year that passes, shops closing down, kids on the streets. Lets look at the other areas, Tamworth, alot to do for all, council spend the money well, always looks good, I think the council should stop making excuses and start listeneing to people, if they (council) are saying that money is tight then they should learn to save on their electricity bills, the lights are always left on within the council buildings, next time you drive by in the dark you will see what i mean…Atherstone council get real!!!!!!

By: Richard Stevenson

Richard Stevenson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:17:36 +0000

I know how Mick feels as the council have done nothing to help any of the local sport teams.

The hockey sides currently play at Earl Shilton which is ridiculous and youngsters will not be able to play for the towns team having to get lifts and travel that distance for matches and training.

Also the local football and rugby team both play on ground that is owned by the council. The rugby team looked to buy their pitch but the council refused. The rugby side would have a better financial footing if they had their own ground and clubhouse as money behind the bar would go stright to the team. The same with the football team they are looking to move to new premises and better facilities but would you know it the council have done nothing.

People may say not many people go to watch the football/rugby/hockey teams but if you gave them a new stadium with seating for even just 1,000 if that then you will find people will come as one reason people turn away is that they do not want to stand in the rain and cold.

A good idea would be to build a ground that could house the local football and rugby team which would be more financially viable. Also a hockey pitch would not be the hardest thing to have here as well. With youngsters not having much to do around here then with these facilities they could go to training for one of the sports and get them off the street and get them doing something more productive.

By: Mick Thomas

Mick Thomas — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:47:38 +0000

I rarely respond to letters in the newspaper or to email articles, but feel moved to respond to this news item as I can see a parallel within my own sport of Hockey.
I totally empathise with the frustration that is felt by the football Club.

Atherstone Adders Hockey Club is desperate for a pitch to play and train on, and we have to travel to Earl Shilton in order to play our league matches. A round trip of over 20 miles for most players based in Atherstone.

The Hockey Club is currently balancing on a knife edge and on the fringe of extinction. We find it almost impossible to attract players who can go and play for our local rivals, Tamworth or Nuneaton who have suitable playing facilities on their doorstep.

The local Council will not engage with ourselves or the local school in a meaningful way as we both strive to develop suitable playing facilities i.e. an astroturf pitch. The idea of a community based playing facility certainly appeals to us. If only less money was spent on feasibility studies and more on providing facilities that would be a step forward.

In the meantime while the council tread water, the Adders Hockey Club consisting of two Men’s sides a Women’s side and a junior section look like they are going to fold.
So much for developing sport and leisure opportunities in North Warwickshire….
Come on let’s do something about it or this town will lose all its sporting teams!