Brampton Manor Sports Club in Chesterfield has secured Olympic legacy funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund to upgrade it’s Squash and Racketball courts to elite competition standard.
Sport England today revealed that more than 1,000 local sports projects across the country have now received National Lottery funding through Inspired Facilities, which is part of the £150 million Places People Play legacy programme. Every sports facility that receives funding will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark – celebrating the link to the Games.
Squash is in line to become an Olympic Sport by 2020 and Brampton Manor’s status as North Derbyshire’s Institute of Sport and a centre of excellence for junior squash was instrumental in securing the award.
Brampton Manor currently boasts a squash & racketball section, which has great depth, from mini squash & social players, right through to international player Ashley Davies. Ashley’s achievements include Under 17 National Champion and he was ranked European U17 Number 1. Following in his footsteps at Brampton Manor are many young players including 13 with a national ranking, all who represent Derbyshire or the Regional teams. Girls make up 6 of the County/Regional representation, which in itself is a fantastic achievement for a single club.
Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis, said: “This National Lottery investment is helping us deliver a lasting sporting legacy in Derbyshire from last year’s successful Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"With so many clubs in the Midlands having benefitted from this fund already and building on the success of last summer, this is the legacy people want for their local community.”
Brampton Manor Managing Director, Craig Lynch, said:
“Since acquiring the Club in 2005 and making the changes required to sustain it as a modern Health, Rackets and Leisure venue we have continued to invest in the Junior squash and racketball section in the belief one day that squash would once again become a major participation sport as in the 1970’s and 80’s. This award from Sport England is the result of a lot of hard work by our excellent team of coaches and puts us at the forefront of developing future National and possibly Olympic Champions.”
Local MP, Toby Perkins, said: “We welcome this investment by Sport England into Brampton Manor Sports Club. There has always has a strong sporting tradition in the area and this money is an investment in young people for today and for the future; we’ll see top class squash players training and competing in top class facilities.”
Brampton Manor Sports Club is one of 310 projects across England to receiving lottery investment from the third round of the Inspired Facilities fund and one of over 1,000 to benefit overall, with the milestone being achieved one year ahead of schedule.
Many more communities can still benefit from the fund, with a further two rounds remaining. Bids will be accepted for the fourth round of Inspired Facilities Funding from the 4 March 2013. You can find out more at www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities.
