Sport North East ISSUE 01 | Page 10

Whitley Bay FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/SPORTNEMAG Integration Challenges “We have planned our training schedule so the older junior players train alongside those in the senior team, enabling us to invite the juniors into the senior squad for specific sessions. This season, players from our U16s and U17s have both made their debuts for the senior squad and as previously mentioned, this summer we are creating a reserve team to play at a slightly lower level to aid the transition into senior football for the older players.” “Our biggest challenges are the availability and cost of facilities. The charity is currently spending approximately two thirds of its turnover on facilities. As we want to expand and allow more participation the cost of this will grow. We look to set ourselves apart from other clubs by offering 90 min training sessions, but this comes at a huge cost of up to £75 for each training session. We are being approached by players wanting to join the club on a weekly basis and particularly in the summer months at our open training sessions. There is an infinite amount of players we can accept based on our facilities and the cost of these.” Community “We are absolutely a community club. We do not have our own ‘home’, so need to work with local schools to use their 3G pitches for training and grass pitches for the majority of games. We currently have partnerships with seven local schools as well as the local rugby club. As recognition of our work with the local community and for engaging people of all ages into sport, we were delighted to have been awarded the Whitley Bay Town Cup in January this year. This is a prestigious award granted to a local organisation who has been chosen for contributing a significant amount to the local community. I was delighted to Ambitions receive the 110-year-old trophy at the council meeting earlier this year. We also have close ties with a number of local businesses who sponsor many of our teams. Most of these are via parent connections which we are very fortunate to have and this enables many of our teams to purchase additional kit such as tracksuits and waterproof jackets.” “The committee are determined to try and find a ‘home’ for the club over the next few years. We are currently talking to land owners in the local area with a view to submitting planning permission this year. We see this as the next natural step for the sporting club as we look to expand and offer more opportunities to our members. Ideally, we see ourselves at one base and less reliant on local schools.” “My son started out at Whitley Bay Sporting Club playing for the U8’s and is now 21-years-old. We have had a good 13-year connection with the club and have been proud to support by sponsoring some junior team kits over the years. The club is very local to me and at Crossling we love to support sporting community clubs like Whitley Bay Sporting Club. All the staff, volunteers and coaches are doing a fantastic job and it’s great to see so many kids out enjoying themselves and pulling the community together. From all of us here at Crossling we would like to wish everyone associated with the club all the very best and keep up the great work.” Dave Byerley NEWCASTLE SHOWROOM Coast Road, Benfie Newcastle upon Tyne, 0191 265416 showroom@crosslin FREE 3D CAD design service available Sanitaryware Bathroom & Kitchen Taps Wetrooms Showers Bathroom Suites Wall Panelling Shower Trays & Enclosures Accessories Electric Underfloor Heating Towel Warmers Designer Radiators Cabinets & Mirrors What our customers say Coast Road, Benfield Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5XA 0191 2654166 [email protected] www.crossling.co.uk 10 Issue 01 Opening Times: Monday - Friday: 8:45am - 5:00pm Saturday: 9:00am - 1:00pm “The staff were fantastic, they helped me with every aspect of our new bathroom... ...nothing was too much trouble, even though we changed our mind several times.” I have recommended Crossling to all of our friends and family.”