Blakeney plans meeting with sports clubs

Glenn Blakeney has pledged to assist the island’s sports clubs that are struggling to make ends meet.

A Government survey conducted a few years ago highlighted a lack of funding, deteriorating infrastructure and anti-social behaviour among the challenges that local sports clubs are confronted with.

Blakeney, the minister responsible for sport, plans to meet with club administrators in the near future to help them to address some of their most pressing concerns.

He said: “I first need to speak with them in a consultative process to find out what are the burning issues they have and also some of the ideas they may have. I think you best serve when you serve in response to the needs of the people so to do that you need to consult and listen and that’s what I am going to be prepared to do first and foremost.

“One of the things I think is long overdue is giving a lot more attention to the community involvement in activity at the sportsmen’s clubs.

“I think there needs to be much more attention given in assisting the clubs who have struggled forever with regard to various programmes and development that they have aspired.”

To help get to the root of the various issues Blakeney will review the Government survey on the plight of local sports clubs — many of whom have incurred heavy debt over the years.

He added: “When minister Dale Butler had the portfolio of sports there was an extensive survey commissioned that Rolffe Commissiong was charged with delivering that is still fluent.

“That’s something I will have a look at as well to see exactly where we are currently and then move from there.”

Confident

One of the objectives Mr. Blakeney would like to see met is local sports clubs become more community oriented moving forward – something he’s confident can be achieved through cooperation.

He said: “I think as long as we work together in a spirit of cooperation and we can prioritize in general terms what across the board can be an enhancement in effecting the community clubs to be a lot more proactive than they have in the past to have more community presence, more community involvement and more community support.”

Craig Clarke, president of Devonshire Recreation Club, is encouraged by Blakeney’s pledge to reach out to local sports club.

He said: “Clubs have been asking for support for many years, this can only be a plus.

“I am not knocking the national sports bodies, but I’ve always believed that funding should be given to clubs. Clubs are where a lot of our athletes first develop their skills.

“I am glad to see more emphasis being placed on the clubs that play a vital role in the community. Without them things could be far worse in the community.”