Association's new strategy

A charity that aims to promote sport in Newark has drawn up a new strategy.

Newark Sports Association discussed its new strategy at a meeting of members.

The charity had, until late last year, concentrated its efforts on providing a multi-sports hub off Bowbridge Road and signed an agreement with Newark and Sherwood District Council to deliver it. However, the agreement was set aside by the council in favour of a proposal by Nottinghamshire YMCA.

The association’s latest strategy was outlined by its secretary, Mr Paul Baggaley.

It includes a move to support schools and education and to encourage greater community use and support better maintenance of school sports facilities.

This could include projects such as relaying the all-weather pitch at Magnus Sports Centre.

It will aim to increase its membership and support growing communities that will need sports provision such as Farndon and Fernwood.

The charity will aim to help local employers and their staff access better sports facilities and will support the development of local sporting facilities such as Lincoln Road Playing Fields.

'People are talking the same language about what the community can benefit from'

Mr Baggaley said it would support community ownership of sports clubs. He said good examples of community ownership in the area were Newark Rugby Club, Collingham Cricket Club and Newark Town Football Club.

He said the association could raise money in ways that were closed to councils and other charities, such as providing community share offers and unlocking grants.

The charity will also aim to promote volunteering.

Association chairman Mr Tony Colton said these were not the only aims and a variety of others had been discussed.

“At the heart of all of this people are talking the same language about what the community can benefit from,” he said.

Mr Colton said there was a potential to link the promotion of sports clubs in Newark with healthcare by working with surgeries and health centres.

l On Monday the association approved a plan to improve its financial position.

The charity has liabilities of almost £10,000.

Money is owed for auditing work and to investors who paid into a community share scheme offer in support of the sports hub.

Members voted to appoint two volunteers, who are experienced accountants, to audit the accounts in future.

A proposal was also backed to convert some payments towards the sports hub into loans, and launch a new offer to members in a bid to raise money to repay some of its debts.