To receive a report informing Members on Sportsable by Kerl Haslam.

Kerl Haslam, Chief Executive Officer, SportsAble, gave a presentation to Members. The three points covered in the presentation were:

·         What SportsAble do.

·         The expansion of facilities at Braywick Park.

·         The facilities on offer for disabled people in the borough.

Points discussed by Kerl Haslam included:

·         SportsAble believe in inclusivity, where abled and disabled people, their friends and family can all take part in a sport.

·         SportsAble is a disability sports club.

·         Members paid £50 per year.

·         SportsAble has introduced many disabled people to sport, changing their lives.

·         Kerl Haslam discussed many case studies, these can be seen in the presentation attached.

·         SportsAble have highly specialist equipment.

·         Any sport can be sourced or specialist equipment can be made to carry out the sport.

·         SportsAble would like to have more facilities for their customers.

·         SportsAble get no funding, all monies are raised all year round, every year.

·         Sports England were approached for some funding but were not very helpful.

·         The original application was made in 2014 for three sports halls. That was rejected.

·         A second application was prepared recently, this was for two sports halls.

·         The facility will be nice, fitting in with the local area and closer to the track.

·         The addition of the two sports halls will add another eleven sports, only having a medium size footprint.

·         Looking into incorporating other community services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, a GP practice and a physiotherapist function.

·         SportsAble work with youngsters encouraging them to try new sports.

Councillor Werner commended SportsAble, saying that SportsAble were doing a truly amazing job, especially as they were not taking away from other organisations at the park. Councillor Werner also hoped that the club that was bullying members was reported. Kerl Haslam reassured Councillor Werner that SportsAble was a healthy club where bullying was not tolerated and the other club had been reported.

Councillor Werner was interested to know about the membership and the financing at SportsAble. Kerl Haslam informed the Panel that the membership currently stood at 650, social and sports. Many outreach programmes were running as well. The finance was managed like a business and many funding streams were in place.

Councillor Werner asked if the plan could be phased and was advised that it could, building one hall and then the second.

The Chairman asked how many members used the club a any one time and what the most popular sports were. Kerl Haslam informed Members that at a single time, 150 people could use the facilities. The most popular sports included archery, air weapons, shooting, table tennis, swimming, wheelchair basketball and botcha (a specifically designed sport for disabled people).

The Chairman asked if the two new halls would be multifunctional and was advised that one would be a full size basketball court and the other a tennis court and both would be multifunctional.

Councillor McWilliams asked about what dialogue was taking place between SportsAble and the council with regards to the possibilities of the Magnet relocating to Braywick Park. Kerl Haslam explained that there was no competition as SportsAble was offering a unique service and the Magnet relocating would actually compliment SportsAble.

Councillor Samantha Rayner informed the Panel that discussions were taking place.

Kerl Haslam handed out brochures after 40 years of SportsAble.