All Weather Multi Sports Arena at Tipton Sports Academy, Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT), West Midlands

The project involves resurfacing/repurposing of two outdoor tennis courts at Tipton Sports Academy.

The work will include preparatory work to existing surfaces, new perimeter edging including fencing, tennis and netball fittings and posts, new porous asphalt and line marking for tennis and netball. SLT will establish a suitable SAPCA approved contractor to complete the small works. The area is currently closed to public due to the current condition of the playing surface and fencing. Should this grant application be successful, SLT would be looking to re-open this area as a public amenity and increase attendances for tennis, netball and other sporting activities from residents.

Sport brings people together, and the redevelopment of the Multi Sports Arena (MSA) has the potential to serve as a hub for socialising and team spirit. Community members will have a dedicated outdoor area for group based sports and activities. As residents visit the MSA they may find a new passion for sports, make new friends and generally feel more involved in the community, helping to develop community cohesion.

Sandwell is an area of significant deprivation with 60% of the borough falling within 20% of the most deprived area of England increasing the likelihood on inequalities (ONS, 2021). It is also one of the most inactive boroughs in the country with 36.8% of adults doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity each week compared to the national average of 25.8%. This project will help overcome these barriers, by providing a fully inclusive, accessible area for sports/activity, to improve health and wellbeing of Sandwell residents. Beyond the benefits of physical fitness and improved health and wellbeing, the MSA can also bring together the community and allow for inclusion with various team sports that are underrepresented in Sandwell such as netball. This sport would benefit from increased local provision and would help grow the region in terms of its sporting provision.