12 January 2015

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

TOWN Mayor Nick Hodges has presented East Grinstead sports clubs with Town Council grants to encourage young people to participate in sport.

Five hundred pounds was awarded to Chartham Park Golf Club, East Grinstead Swimming Club, Synergy Academy, the Cricket Club, Estcots Tennis Club and Imberhorne school.

A grant of £400 was give to East Grinstead Athletics Club.

Chartham Park will offer all Year 11 students at Imberhorne six one-hour coaching sessions which will take place at the school, enabling them to sample the skills needed in the game and to use equipment.

After their initial sessions, the youngsters will have a further free session at Chartham Park to introduce them to the course so they can decide if they would like to pursue golf in the future, with special membership deals designed to make the game accessible to youngsters.

The Cricket Club will be funding coaches for indoor net training and providing free taster sessions for potential new players at the start of the season.

The Athletics Club needs additional equipment for year Four and Five pupils and to support training for assistants which will allow the Club to expand.

Imberhorne school will be putting its grant towards setting up a Young Coaches Academy for youngsters aged 16-24 who would then create and develop sporting activities for younger people in the town, both through the school and through other clubs in the town.

The East Grinstead Swimming Club will be using its grant for more coaches to expand membership, while the Synergy Sports Academy based at the Kings Centre are fundraising for safety equipment to help in trampoline training.

The Estcots Lawn Tennis Club will be using its grant for cleaning and relining slippery courts.