It is truly fantastic news that Cheltenham Saracens FC and Cheltenham Skittles League have been granted £458,000 in Government funding to upgrade their facilities and build a new community sports hub at Petersfield Park.
The project, which I was delighted to lobby for with ministers behind the scenes, will help deliver a new changing room, toilets, kitchen, community room, bar and skittles alley. My congratulations and thanks go to Graham and Gerry and the army of volunteers who campaigned so strongly. Credit too should go to the Petersfield Partnership, Cheltenham Saracens Committee and all those who wrote letters of support.
As readers may know, the club is based in one of the more deprived areas in Cheltenham. Long before I became an MP, I believed in ‘levelling up’ our town. I believe talent is spread evenly across Cheltenham, but that can’t always be said for opportunity. I am passionately committed to every Cheltenham youngster getting the chance to go as far as their talents will take them.
That core mission is what lies behind my drive to secure government funding. We’ve already secured some historic wins, with the £3m Advanced Digital Academy at Gloucestershire College in Hesters Way, and £23m for the nearby cyber park. Meanwhile, the £400m Air Balloon scheme will make Cheltenham an investment destination of choice, with new horizons opening up for youngsters who have not necessarily had the easiest start in life.
Meanwhile, this latest funding will help support disadvantaged youngsters passionate about sport.
That’s vital because research has shown that youth sport brings benefits later in life. Former student athletes typically advance faster in their careers and earn more by the age of 30. Whether it’s training with Cheltenham & County Harriers, or turning out for Leckhampton Rovers FC, sport’s requirement to show discipline, determination and leadership as well as teamwork, can pay dividends in the world of work.
So this is fantastic news for our community. There’s still a little way to go on fundraising, so the work doesn’t stop here. But this is a great leap forward towards the target of providing this part of Cheltenham with facilities to be truly proud of. Congratulations again to all.
[Column published in the Cheltenham Post and Gloucestershire Echo]