Over the last 3 years Kingsbridge Community Sports has received the support of many people, and now the list includes football legend Cyrille Regis, MBE. The former England, Aston Villa, West Brom, Wolves and Coventry footballer, who recently published his first book ‘My Story’ is seen by many as the first ‘black icon’ in football. Cyrille was recently shown the Holders Lane site by Roger Lynch and Mohammed Shafique, two of the Kingsbridge’s Directors. This was what he said:

“I am impressed with the fantastic work that Kingsbridge has been doing in engaging with local communities and in developing plans to transform the Holders Lane site into a dynamic sporting venue for the benefit of local people. This kind of project is very close to my heart as it will provide much improved facilities for grass-roots sports clubs and will increase participation in sport in the South Birmingham area. I wish Kingsbridge every success in their endeavours.”

Kingsbridge is awaiting confirmation from Birmingham City Council that the Leasehold of the site will be transferred into community ownership. Once confirmation is received, Kingsbridge will be able to start the main capital fund raising, and the transformation of the site will begin.

The West of England Sports Trust (WESPORT) reports:

Hundreds of sports playing fields across the country will be protected and improved thanks to a £10 million National Lottery fund launched today by Sport England and the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson MP.

Read in full on the WESPORT website.

Riverside – one of the Kingsbridge partners – has helped train a team of FA Coaches as part of its Community Coaching scheme. Riverside has channelled financial support from its primary sponsor The Jericho Foundation and from a grant from Sports Relief to enable ten of its club members to gain at least one FA credited coaching qualification.

The highest qualified member of the team is Dave Healy (centre) who has FA Level 3 & Level 1 Goalkeeping. There are now four FA Level 2 Coaches: Will Weaver, Christian Muneyi-Cargill (far left), Tom Holt and Roger Lynch (far right); and five FA Level 1 Coaches: Mike Parkes (left of centre), Clark Roberts, Dan Galante, George Kingsley (right of centre) and Nik Deeming. All of the Coaching team have been involved at some point in Real Riverside’s adult training programme and Mike, Dave and Roger are currently involved in other community coaching events.

Kingsbridge believes in encouraging participation in sports like football at grass-roots level and intends to establish additional programmes of sports coaching once it has the appropriate facilities and venue to do so.

The Birmingham Mail reports on the state of Birmingham’s sports pitches:
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/01/04/brum-s-sports-pitches-slated-again-97319-27927049/