HAILSHAM BOXING CLUB
This has definitely been a pivotal year for the club. The current premises are not ideal for the longer term, and plans are afoot to redevelop Grovelands Barn.
Fortunately, Hailsham Town Council Assets committee have formed a sub-committee to support the club in its quest to find a way of making this happen.
Early indications are that this is not only possible, but that it could have a really positive knock-on effect on other local groups, who have all very much got on board with supporting the project.
In my last article, I briefly mentioned Empire Boxing Club from Bristol, which came to meet Sam and his team to explain how they developed from a small club to become a leading national community support group for clubs like Hailsham. The story is as inspiring as it is relevant to us in town.
Basically, two local boxers from Bristol set up a boxing club and were doing ok with it. After one of their sessions, they went into a local park and noticed a couple lads ‘doing drugs’.
This was a poor area of Bristol, so not necessarily a surprise. They chatted to the lads and offered them free access to the boxing club.
They came along and loved it and began to learn the disciplines and camaraderie of the boxing life. Within two months, another 50 youngsters joined the club. The need for fitness, discipline, and become part of a ‘positive community’ was clear and had a profound positive impact on these youngsters.
Sam and his team have been invited to Bristol to learn more and become part of an associate organisation. This will be wonderful news for Hailsham, so let’s do all we can to support the town council in their support of the project and also funding from local businesses, community groups and indeed Wealden District Council, who may support with the CLIF fund.
HAILSHAM ACADEMY
There are two projects we hope to build on this year.
The first, on the back of the very successful upgrade of the Hockey pitch and lighting. Again, thanks to Wealden for the lions share of funding, with support from the Hockey club, local fundraising, the school and also Hailsham Town Council. It is already fully utilised for the school, Hockey Club and local football club training.
Hailsham is very short of tennis and Hockey facilities, so this will be a tremendous benefit. (In a Wealden Playing pitch analysis, it was identified that Hailsham required 14 tennis courts – and that was over 10 years ago). Netball is also the fastest-growing UK sport, so we know the demand is there.
A similar approach will need to be taken to achieve the desired results. We already have some amazing work going on with tennis and netball in Hailsham, with some really successful events on Monday evenings at Hailsham Academy, plus work with Junior (primary school age) netball at James West on a Tuesday evening.
Demand is growing for both sports, and if we can link Wealden/Sports clubs/Hailsham Academy and local support, we can definitely make some very positive changes.
The second and quieter project is looking to see if pupils from Hailsham Academy can assist with PE/sports lessons at local primary schools. This is such a good project as we know primary school pupils react very positively to this sort of involvement, plus it allows some of the older pupils at Hailsham Academy, the opportunity to see how they get on in this environment, especially if they are considering a career in sport/teaching in the future.
Recreation grounds and clubs
Hellingly Parish Council, work with the sports club have come up with a whole raft of improvements for Horsebridge Recreation Ground/Hellingly Sports Club.
Pitch drainage
Work commenced in September and has now concluded with an amazing upgrade for the junior football team (Link), who now have up to six teams playing (boys and girls).
The drainage will have such a wonderful effect on allowing the season at Horsebridge to continue almost throughout the year, saving the club a lot of money on 3G pitch rental as well as helping the club become a year-round social facility.
Further work on a fully lit perimeter path, extra parking, large (5-a-side size) MUGA with lighting and redevelopment of the clubhouse changing facilities are all in the pipeline, much of which we hope to complete this year, with architect designs and quotes for work already underway.
Finally, from everyone associated with Hailsham Active, we wish you all success with whatever positive plans you have for 2026.
