An event in Lichfield is hoping to encourage more women and girls to take up squash.
It is being organised by Lichfield Squash Club on 8th March, which is also International Women’s Day.
A spokesperson said:
“The event itself will provide opportunities to learn from our club coach and a professional coach, and a chance to meet and have a hit on court with a young rising star of the professional women’s tour.
“It is also a great opportunity to meet other women and girls who play or are interested in playing squash and to find out about the club.”
Lichfield Squash Club spokesperson
The event is being held at King Edward VI School in Lichfield at 7pm. For more details visit the Lichfield Squash Club Facebook page.
Well that’s comical, given the new swimming pool (‘ahem’) leisure centre the Council are planning to build won’t even have squash courts like the facility it is supposed to be replacing!
Thanks for promoting this event by Lichfield Squash Club . More details about the event are available here: https://m.facebook.com/events/3123027904510010
@Gary, I agree it’s disappointing Lichfield will be losing 2 more squash courts through the eventual closure of Friary Grange LC. This is especially so as Lichfield Squash Club is currently instigating programmes to boost squash participation in Lichfield, of which this event is part. We manage the court bookings at King Edward VI School, where there are 2 glass back courts, and could soon find court capacity becomes an issue. We are currently engaging with the Council about this issue.
@James Roberts – I just don’t understand how other areas can manage to run a proper leisure centre (often smaller areas than Lichfield, i.e. Uttoxeter, Stratford upon Avon) and yet we have to make do with nothing more than a 6 lane swimming pool. Nothing even for kids, like water slides, soft play etc. Does this Council ever get anything right?
LDC should take a trip to Malvern see the 3 pools the little kids pool is brilliant , the cafe with various sizes rooms for meetings, the superb fitness studio, the 2 car parks opposite, the multi use sports facilities [all the sports football, squash, netball & basketball , athletics etc – all used by local schools during weekdays & it is just about profitable run by Forward Leisure. Excellent sports staff too, no messing about if you do you are out. Further a clone of this facility fits on the Friarsgate site still not used after how many years? 3 floors of superb local facilities. Why not in Lichfield on a central site with easy transport links good parking close etc. Wake up LDC
@Flossy – and guess what, Malvern (which is smaller than Lichfield by the way) also has an interesting museum about Malvern! Can we swap their Council for ours?
@Flossy That Malvern facility sounds wonderful and I’m sure would be a roaring success in a place like Lichfield, ticking many of the boxes for a community that is keen to keep active. The main problem for our Council remains the capital cost of the build. This is why some sports and activities will inevitably be excluded from the new leisure centre, which I agree will be a crying shame. I’m hoping it’s not too late to influence the provision but am realistic to know that not every sport can be accommodated. All we can do as a Squash Club is promote our sport and make the case for better provision.
@James Roberts – you mention cost, but why can other areas (smaller than Lichfield) manage it, but we can’t?
By the way, I’m not in any way criticising you, it’s aimed at the Council.
@Steve I’ve no idea, each council has individual financial circumstances. All I know, mainly due to reports on this site, is that LDC is allocating £10m from its reserves to fund the build, which sounds a lot but in reality is not enough to build a centre of true scale to meet the needs of a place like Lichfield. They applied for Levelling Up funding but have been knocked back twice. Don’t forget too that government has slashed local authority funding since 2010. It would be interesting to know how Malvern funded its facility.
@Flossy is this what you’re on about in Malvern? https://www.malvernactive.co.uk/
If so, this looks like it’s part of Malvern College, a private school, so nothing to do with the council. Memberships are also required.
I’ve played squash in a similar fantastic facility in Uppingham, Rutland. These schools have deeper pockets and ways of financing that are beyond the means of councils. The communities where these schools are located are lucky to have access to these facilities.
Sorry but you can’t compare this to the circumstances in Lichfield unfortunately.
@James Roberts
I think Flossy was referring to Malvern Splash and Dyson Perrins Leisure Centre. Nothing to do with Malvern College public school. I used to live in Malvern, yep great facilities run by Freedom Leisure for Malvern Hills District Council.
@James Roberts I think @Flossy is referring to Malvern Splash, in the heart of the town right next to the theatre.
https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/malvern-splash-leisure-centre/
James No – nothing to do with Malvern College which is a mile or so from Malvern Splash & Sports Centre. It is alongside the Park at back of Malvern Theatre – adjacent to the 2 big carparks in Malvern. If you go there you cant miss it! Great facilities
Sounds like the good people of Malvern are spoilt for choice in terms of leisure facilities. Interesting the Malvern Splash facility is also rub by Freedom Leisure, presumably successfully? However, in Lichfield and Burntwood’s case, it seems not so successfully …
That facility at Malvern Splash [ run by Forward Leisure] is the best example of what could be done with Friarsgate. My family use it every week & grandchildren have all learnt to swim there.. It is very reasonable cost especially daytime/weekday, very well run, clean, great cafe, with motivated friendly staff. It is beyond belief that Friarsgate is still boarded up/unused. It could be a fantastic benefit to all in the area. Why do LDC not agree on providing this in city centre? instead of on a greenfield site which will require transport & no outside funding. Probably easier to get funding for a brownfield site.
@JoTrainer
The Malvern Splash is built on the side of a hill, relatively close to the train station, next to the the theatre and close to all Malvern’s facilities. Seems like Friarsgate’s flat level site next to the station and clise to Lichfield’s facilties would be a shoe-in.