Crawley Youth Centre has an outdoor court that is in need of major refurbishment for it to be able to be utilised by the local community and basketball clubs. The court needs a new surface playing area, new backboards and rings along with current court markings. It is in a really great location and is able to be locked at night to keep it from being vandalised. We would also like to put in a seating area spectators as in the summer holidays we are able to run competitions and offer the players somewhere to go where it is safe and secure.

What we'll deliver:

• New outdoor basketball court
• Great facility for tournaments and competitions for all ages
• A community hub for players to meet and feel safe and secure

Why it's a great idea:

Crawley Youth Centre is tucked away in a great location near the centre of town but safe and secure for the players to come along and play. It is accessed via a small no through road thus enhancing the security. The court is surrounded by fencing. Children from the local community can come along and use the facility at little or no cost. The Centre is in an area of Crawley where there is little or no facilities for the children to go where they will be off the street, safe and secure. There ia a great basketball community in Crawley who would also benefit from the refurbishment of this court alongside attracting new players to the sport. Basketball is the Number 2 played team sport in the UK and there is a great feel and energy to the games when they are outdoors. The Court is floodlit so at night the facility can be used up to 10pm.

Steps to get it done:

• To increase participation of players (girls and boys) in the community by offering another facility for them to access

Basketball England is encouraging all outdoor facility to apply for funding to help get children off the streets and into a controlled fun structure. They are a great source of advice and have said that the Youth Centre's court is in an ideal location. Threre is plenty of parking as well as a great location near to the town for players to get to which would create a great, safe hub for the players to play games, competitions and meet up with their friends.