Bromley Streetgames initiative launch

London Active Communities, in association with Broomleigh Housing Association, has successfully launched a new youth and community development initiative, called Streetgames Bromley.

Based on the South Penge Park Estate, in the London Borough of Bromley, the new initiative will deliver a programme of estate based sports, arts and cultural activities, as well as provide youth work, education, personal development and training courses for residents aged 11 – 19 years.

A community fun day was held last week at Betts Park, to signify the launch of Streetgames Bromley. Residents from the local community took part in a fun packed day of free sports and physical activities, consisting of five-aside mini matches, run by Crystal Palace Football in the Community, and a Basketball skills session, delivered by specialist coaches from the Sports action Zone. There was also Street athletics, specially coached by three World Championship Athletes; Trecia Smith, JAM (Triple Jump), Greg Rutherford, GBR (Long Jump) and Yamile Aldama, Sudan (Triple Jump).

Nicola Brown, Community Projects Officer for Broomleigh said: “The London Active Communities project is a long-term community cohesion project, with its own project manager who will be based in the community flat. The aim is to bring a full menu of activities for children and young people on the estate. We are very pleased to be working in partnership with London Active Communities and the Football Foundation on this very worthwhile initiative.”

UK Athletics Performance Coach, Frank Attoh said: “It was a positive day, one that needs to be repeated across the whole of London. Events like this only emphasise the need for all us to engage the community in a constructive way.”

Other highlights of the day included, the Crystal Palace Ward Councillor, John Canvin, who cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the Community Estate Flat, which will be the office base for the Streetgames Bromley. There was also various information outreach stalls from the local statutory and community agencies, including Broomleigh Housing Association, Met. Police Crystal Palace Safer Neighbourhood Team, Victim Support in London Bromley, Connexions Bromley, V-Team (Positive Futures) and The Federation of Broomleigh Residents.

The project has been funded for three years by London Active Communities, The Football Foundation and Broomleigh Housing. The project is part of a London wide network of Active Communities projects and partnerships delivering services within local communities.

London Active Communities Chief Executive, Gary Stannett MBE, said: “We are proud to be working with Broomleigh Housing and the Football Foundation in delivering this community programme in Bromley. This project is testimony to the commitment of the local housing association, national funding partners and our own project staff in improving access to sports activities and training opportunities for local communities.”