Sports group members vote to carry on

An organisation set up to develop sports facilities is to continue its work.

At an extraordinary general meeting, members of Newark Sports Association (NSA) voted 21-7 against a motion to dissolve the charity.

The NSA was launched almost four years ago with the aim of providing sustainable sports facilities for Newark and was planning a sports hub on land off Bowbridge Road.

In October, Newark and Sherwood District Council set aside a partnership agreement for delivery of the sports hub between it, the NSA and Newark Town Council.

The district council instead opted for Nottinghamshire YMCA to become its preferred partner in the provision of sports facilities.

Former NSA chairman Mr Steff Wright, who was at Monday’s meeting, said it had reached a natural conclusion.

“When I got involved it was building up an organisation to run and develop the facility. That was very much the aim,” he said.

“I agree it is important that all the sports clubs within the town have some mechanism to be heard and get the YMCA to think about the facilities they are providing.

“However, I believe it needs clubs, individuals and experts from their own sports to make sure they feed that knowledge through.”

Mr Chris Wade, vice-chairman of Newark Town Football Club, also supported the motion to dissolve.

“In many ways we have already achieved what we wanted to achieve,” he said.

'Pressure group'

Mr Dave Stuart, secretary of Newark Tennis Club, believed the NSA remained an important player within the development.

“I see the opportunity with the YMCA to have this developed, but at present we don’t know what they are going to do,” he said.

“I see the NSA’s value as being a pressure group to keep the project in line with the thoughts and views of the sports clubs.”

NSA member Mr Francis Towndrow said: “It is imperative that we keep working so Newark people can be represented and that our voices are still heard.”

NSA chairman Mr Tony Colton said: “There is an opportunity now to build on the mandate that we have been given by the membership who clearly feel there is a need for a community organisation that is prepared to support the development of all sport for the benefit of local people.”

The YMCA’s proposed £8.5m sports and community village off Bowbridge Road includes a football stadium with a capacity for around 600 supporters, a six-lane athletics track, cycling track, and multi-use all-weather sports pitches on which football, hockey, tennis, basketball and netball could be played.

Nottinghamshire YMCA is working towards developing a planning application that is due to be submitted in the summer.

The district council has suggested the YMCA would have a better chance of securing funding for the project from sports governing bodies.

Sport England has stated its support for the YMCA scheme, as has England Athletics.

The sports and community village would be next to Newark’s new sports and fitness centre.