Parks and Open Spaces

Football unites Westminster community

Football unites Westminster community once again

19 grassroots football clubs in Westminster came together last weekend for a day of friendly competition

Unity in the Community Football Tournament took  place on Saturday 15 June at Paddington Recreation Ground, the day kicked off with a mixed-gender competition, followed in the afternoon by a Girls Football Festival.

The event, organised by Active Westminster and its leisure operator Everyone Active as part of their Neighbourhood Sports Club programme, kicked off with the Unity in the Community (UITC) mixed-gender football tournament in the morning.

182 players aged seven to 16, regardless of abilities or backgrounds, took to the state-of-the-art pitches, competing in friendly matches aimed at uniting the community through sport.

There was amazing community spirit, and everyone displayed great sportsmanship,” said Dilu Miah, Coordinator of the Queen’s Park Bangladesh Association, whose under-12 team participated. “This was the first tournament our U12 team have experienced, and they thoroughly enjoyed every minute.”

team of players with the Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Robert Rigby, joined the morning’s activities.

Later in the afternoon, a Girls Football Festival was held to commemorate the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

Local girls took part in skills sessions and friendly matches, the festival celebrating women’s football’s growing popularity while encouraging young girls to try the sport themselves.

Nicole Fox, Everyone Active Contract Activity and Wellbeing Manager said: “We are extremely proud to be able to offer such amazing events and sessions to those throughout Westminster and beyond.

Saturday was an incredible day, and the number of children we had attend reminded myself and the team how far we have come with reaching our goal of supporting children and other communities in their physical and mental wellbeing. Our goal is to ensure everyone – no matter their age or background – has the same opportunity to improve their mental and physical health to lead a happy and fulfilling lifestyle.”

The Lord Mayor said: “Football fever is gripping the nation with the Euros, and it certainly gripped Paddington Recreation Ground for the Unity in the Community football tournament. It was a pleasure to watch local teams go through their paces and hand out medals to winners”.

Unity in the Community back in September for a second event

If you would like to attend the next Unity in the Community, keep an eye on our dedicated page for when we confirm the date for the event in September.

Still time to sign up for Unity in the Community!

You can still register for Unity in the Community!

Not long to go now but there’s still time to sign up for this year’s Unity in the Community competition. Make sure you join us and the Lord Mayor this Saturday 15 June!

There are two fantastic events on the agenda to bring the community together and provide a friendly environment where players can compete and show case their football skills.

Unity in the Community (UITC)

Unity In The Community (UITC) is a mixed gender football competition, which invites local players and teams from all corners of Westminster and beyond to UNITE, compete and showcase their skills at our state of the art pitches. 

Girls Football Festival

That’s right girls this one is strictly for you! The Girls ONLY Football Festival will be taking place alongside UITC to commemorate the Woman’s World Cup! It kicks off with a fun filled skills session, followed by non-competitive friendly matches. 

The registration deadline has now been extended to Friday 14th June!

For full details visit our dedicated Unity In The Community webpage. For all questions please can contact Ryan Denys on ryandenys@everyoneactive.com

 

 

 

Pathway Works at Paddington Recreation Ground Progressing Well

Pathway works at Paddington Recreation Ground continue to progress well

The works that started at Paddington Recreation Ground on Friday 12th April are getting closer to its summer completion.

Westminster City Council working alongside Everyone Active and FM Conways have applied a phased programme of pathway works to :

  • improve accessibility
  • alleviate trip hazards
  • reduce localised rainwater ponding, and
  • undertake necessary repairs to the underground drains.
bandstand
Latest updates

In order to carry out these works, certain areas will need to be closed to the public and the gates leading into the grounds will be closed in phases corresponding to the relevant pathway work. There will be some facility closures during these programme of works, please keep an eye out for notices, posters and social media posts to keep up to date.

As always our goal is to ensure that all our facilities are accessible and safe for all of our users. We will  ensure that there is as little disruption to your experience as possible.

These are the phases to the works that are yet to be completed, please bear in mind that dates are subject to change due to weather conditions. Please check our website for the latest updates:

Phase 4 – Moreshead Road Gate (Rose Garden) to the Café pathways

Works commenced on Tuesday 21st May and should be complete on Wednesday 5th June. The Morshead Gate will be closed throughout this period. Patrons should use the nearby Essendine Gate or The Grantully Gate entrances.

Phase 5 – Café to Carlton Gate Roundabout pathways

Works will commence on Wednesday 5th June and complete Friday 14th June. The Cricket nets will be open with access via the pathway behind the gym for this period. Carlton Road Gate and the Car Park will be CLOSED during this period. For access to the park and all facilities, please use the nearest entrance at Randolph Gate.

Phase 6 – Pathway behind the Football Pitch

Works will commence as soon as the Carlton Gate roundabout has fully completed. This section of pathway will be closed to the public throughout the works.

Phase 7 – Pathways around Tennis Courts 1 – 6

The works that started at Paddington Recreation Ground back in April are getting closer to completion with the final pathway phase around the Tennis Courts 1-6 starting on Wednesday 10th July.

  • New edging being installed.
  • Asphalt works will commence on Thursday 11th July and be completed by the end of Friday 12th July.
  • Court users are advised to use the alternative gates where necessary.
  • Court No 5 will be closed on Thursday 11th July but all the other court will remain operational.
  • Courts 3 and 4 will be provided with a crossover point from the high level path to the courts the remaining courts can be entered by the side gates.
  • Three benches around that area will be removed prior to pathway works commencing and then reinstate when complete

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation and patience.

NSC Premiere League Kicks – Girls Only Sessions

NSC Premiere League Kicks - Girls Only Football

As part of the Neighbourhood Sports Club (NSC) Programme Premiere League Kicks are offering FREE GIRLS ONLY football sessions for 8-14 year olds!

The sessions are on every Tuesday between 5-6 pm at Churchill Gardens SW1V 3AD. Girls get signed up, get down there and show the boys how it’s done!

Enjoy a Day of Activities with Edutain Youth Club

Join us for a Day of Activities with Edutain Youth Club!

Introducing Edutain Youth Club, brought to you in partnership with Berkeley Group and the students of Paddington Academy. The aim of the day is to give you and your friends a chance to get together, and get fit and healthy through a variety of activities.  

The event is open to young people aged 14 – 15 years of age and will take place next Thursday 30th May between 10 am – 3 pm at Academy Sport, 124 Torquay Street, W2 5EW.

Activities will range from boxing and ping pong to football and yoga! Make sure you get down there and check it out.

Help us raise £1000 for Luna Archard to represent England!

Help us raise £1000 for Luna Archard to represent England!

Luna Archard, our 16-year-old Champions of the Future table tennis player is set to represent England in the International Secondary Schools Table Tennis Competition and she needs your help to get there!

Luna represented Westminster in the London Youth Games and has the won gold for the past 2 years. Off the back of this she has now been selected to represent England in the Senior schools International tournament at the end of June. To get there she needs to raise £1,000 to compete and secure the correct equipment.

Her dedication (training over 12 hours per week), hard work and exceptional talent have brought her to this momentous stage, where she will have the opportunity to shine even brighter.

Please show your support for this amazing young lady!