Sports Academy opened by Newcastle United manager

Four Housing Group, a not-for-profit housing provider in the North East, with funding of £1.7m from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has opened a new £2.7m facility in conjunction with local football club, Redheugh Boys Club, for young and vulnerable people in Gateshead.

The Academy will house 16 - 25 year old youngsters who are currently homeless and will provide first rate sporting facilities for those living there, as well as members of the local community. The whole development has been led by Four Housing Group, in close partnership with Gateshead Council and Redheugh Boys Club.

“This marks a great day for the people of Gateshead, and Four Housing Group is proud to declare the Academy open,” said Lynda Peacock, Group Development Director, Four Housing Group. “The academy will reinvigorate the community, providing a range of services and amenities to boost the confidence, energy and aspirations of local people. We hope the local community will enjoy and reap the benefits the facility will provide and we wish to thank all those involved in bringing the project together.”

Alan Pardew, Newcastle United manager, who officially opened the facility added:

“It's a real honour to open the Academy. I genuinely believe the project will not only help improve the lives of people in the city but also provide opportunities for developing home-grown talent.  That's something we're really passionate about at Newcastle United so it's great to see initiatives like this. You never know, the next Steven Taylor could result from this project.”

Funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, the project was designed to build a multi-functional facility in Gateshead to promote the physical health, mental wellbeing and social inclusion of diverse local community groups.

Alan Sears, area manager at the HCA said:

“It is great to see these facilities opened tonight. The partners in the project have achieved so much that will benefit local communities and I am particularly pleased that we were able to contribute £410,000 specifically towards the sport facilities.

“It is great that the project will help young people who are homeless and just as importantly help prevent others from becoming homeless in the future.”

The supported accommodation provides a service for young and vulnerable people who have a Gateshead connection and would be otherwise homeless or at risk of homelessness. Those living there will benefit from 24 hour support from The Cyrenians, one of the country’s leading and most progressive homeless charities. They will also gain the skills and appropriate support to move on to living independent lives.

Gateshead Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Councillor Linda Green, said:

“This new centre provides a fantastic resource for Gateshead, while at the same time reducing pressure on our neighbouring authorities. Providing accommodation for our homeless young people can be the first step towards helping them to move on to a more positive future and our partners at Tyneside Cyrenians and Four Housing Group are making this a reality thanks to their innovative transformation of our building.

“The benefits of exercise for mental health are well documented and the sporting facilities on offer will make a big difference to residents, as well as providing great amenities for the Redheugh Boys Club. Exercise will not only improve their fitness and self esteem, but opportunities to get involved with team sports in particular should also significantly increase their personal development. Gateshead is the perfect place for such a project to take place given its international reputation for sporting heritage and existing world class facilities.”

Despite the difference in the various local community groups, there is a unique interconnected theme of the development and that is to encourage people to get fit and active and consider all aspects of their mental and physical health to help them reach their full potential in life. The promotion of physical health and mental wellbeing has been integral to the design of the development and strongly correlates to Gateshead Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy.

The Redheugh Boys Club will provide high quality sporting facilities including four full fixed football pitches and changing rooms. Eventually an all weather 3G pitch will be available for use, as well as badminton courts, boxing and table tennis facilities. The football club welcomes all members of Gateshead’s communities, young and old, to use the Club’s amenities.

Les Stokoe, Treasurer, Redheugh Boys Club, which has been established since 1957 and has a vital part in the community, said:

“The Boys Club will play a key role in bringing the local community together and assist with the development of sporting talent in Gateshead.  We hope that the local community embrace this opportunity and use the facility to their best advantage.”

The Academy also includes a community cafe and a meeting room open to the community. For instance, they can be used for social occasions for older members of the community or for mother and toddler coffee mornings. As the community begins to use the facility, it will continue to be developed and expanded further, based on what additional services or features the community feels it would benefit from.