Sport inclusion charity, Access Sport has supported the development of a new basketball court in Burgess Park to empower local disadvantaged and disabled young people through basketball.
With the court opening soon, a community event organised in collaboration with London Youth on 13 August featured:
A meet and greet with London Lions and Team GB Basketball player, Shanice Beckford Norton
Demonstrations, dunk competitions, coaching sessions
Wheelchair basketball taster sessions
Prize giveaways from BounceWear, Half Decent Day and Basketball England.
In the coming months, Access Sport will activate a new inclusive community basketball club at the court – Burgess Park Basketball Club.
This community club will focus on encouraging underserved young people in the area to get active through basketball.
Access Sport has also worked with the NBA and Basketball England to provide the club with accessible basketball equipment.
Over the coming months, Access Sport will also recruit and train local volunteers to run regular sessions and support the community long term.
The new court design was created following a series of community consultations, Access Sport worked with the basketball brand, Half Decent Day, to create an inclusive and engaging design that incorporated the community’s input.
The logo was created with a nod to Burgess Park’s nature and history and looks to give the community a sense of ownership over the facility.
This project is part of a wider collaboration between Access Sport and the London Marathon Foundation which will see £1.6 million invested into inclusive basketball and cycling activities across London.
The partnership aims to make inclusion the norm in community sport by training volunteers, activating new community facilities and supporting community clubs to run inclusive offers.
Shanice Beckford Norton, London Lions and Team GB Basketball player, said:
“In certain areas of London and around the UK, it can be difficult for young people to find positive outlets outside school hours/term time. Outdoor sports facilities allow young people to engage in their community, foster new relationships, and generate a sense of belonging. Growing up as a basketball player in East London, we took pride in our local courts, inviting friends to play each weekend or after school. A court becomes a home that you can share with the people you’d go 5-on-5 with.”
Toby Wilkinson, Basketball Court Activation Officer at Basketball England, said:
“It is a privilege for us to partner with Access Sport, who share our vision of creating more safe and accessible places to play basketball, especially for disabled and disadvantaged young people.”
“We’d like to thank all those involved with the project for creating a new space for basketball communities to grow. We look forward to collaborating on further basketball court projects across London and beyond.”
Kelly Dummer, Head of Programmes at London Youth, said:
“London Youth is delighted to be a key partner in this exciting event. We’re proud to be bringing together 140 young people via 15 of our member youth organisations on this special day. All young people need and deserve accessible and inclusive sporting opportunities; well beyond this event, Burgess Park Basketball Club will continue to provide this for those that need it most.”
Helen Rowbotham, Access Sport Chief Executive, said:
“Thank you to all the partners involved in this process, without your support this terrific court wouldn’t exist. We hope this court quickly becomes a thriving basketball community that provides local young people a real sense of community and belonging.”
Sam Neter, Hoopsfix Foundation Founder said:
“It’s great to see the new court at Burgess Park – it is helping to set the bar of what high quality, outdoor basketball facilities should like; top of the range flex rims, acrylic backboards, nice surface with a beautiful design and of course, seating, to encourage the space becoming a gathering spot for the community. We’re proud to partner with Access Sport and though weren’t involved with this specific one, we look forward to working on a number of projects similar to this moving forward”. “I have no doubt about the impact this court and the new club will have on the local community and look forward to seeing how many more lives basketball can touch in and around Burgess Park.”
Nick Bitel, London Marathon Group CEO said:
“The London Marathon Foundation is delighted to support the development of the Burgess Park Basketball Club and enhancement of the site. This inclusive and community focused club is just one part of our wider collaboration with Access Sport. The wider partnership has seen us invest £1.6 million into much-needed high-quality facilities and inclusive basketball and cycling offers. By working with Access Sport, we’re able to reach the communities and people who will most benefit from the transformative effects of sport.”
Sam Sure, Half Decent Day, said:
“Basketball courts built to this level of specification, with branding unique to the area promote local pride and ownership. Burgess Park has so many neighbourhoods close by in need of high-quality, free-access facilities. This incredible project will make a massive impact on the local area, creating a space that encourages unity and togetherness through sport.”
“As well as ensuring the hoops, backboards and poles are all of the highest specifications, we worked with SC Sports who provided bespoke coloured, FIBA-regulated grip grade paint, meaning both the surface and equipment will be up there with the best courts in the country.”
