Great sports!

BUMPER cheques are handed to Oldham Greenhill Community Sports Club from AKSA Housing Association and Sport England. Pictured are (front, from left) Hadiqa Ahmed, Lybah Arshad, Adam Shazad and Louis Price

BIG cash grants have secured the future of a club which offers Oldham youngsters the chance to chase their sporting dreams.

For the next three years the money will ensure that children can play an affordable range of sports including football, cricket, netball and handball, at Oldham Greenhill Community Sports Club.

The grant of £30,346 comes from the Oldham-based AKSA Housing Association and the National Lottery’s Sport England.

Sports co-ordinator, Abid Hussain says the money will make a huge difference, allowing activities to be offered from Monday to Saturday, at Greenhill & St Anne’s School and the Honeywell Centre, with matches on Sundays.

The club’s aim is to get young people aged 7-19, off the streets, keeping them fit and healthy — and out of trouble.

Mr Hussain said: “Oldham Greenhill Community Sports Club is a strong local club run mostly by volunteers and we’re always looking to attract more young people.

“I know there is demand for the sports we offer in Hathershaw, Glodwick and Fitton Hill. We don’t want to only have football like a lot of other clubs.

“We can offer them sport sessions at 50p and £1 and we can now run our sessions six days a week.

“We’re delighted to have received funding to make it all happen.”

It is hoped that children who attend the club will come back in their later years as volunteers themselves to keep the club going.

Children can just turn up to sessions, which are listed on the club website: www.oldhamgreenhillcsc.co.uk