Hull Dockers, one of the country’s oldest rugby league clubs, have been awarded grant funding from Hull City Council’s Crime Prevention Fund which will help young people carry on playing throughout dark winter months.
The club has been given £2,000 towards six sets of portable floodlights. The equipment, which will cost £7,100 in total, will help girls’ and boys’ teams in the junior and youth categories, keep playing safely.
The club runs sessions at the heart of Hull communities, in East Park, and at the Eastmount Recreational and Community Centre, on Longhill. One set of lights will be used at each venue.
Chris Dearing, Hull Dockers youth section treasurer, said: ““Amateur sports clubs in general and particularly local rugby league teams provide sporting opportunities for thousands of local children and young people. One of the biggest challenges clubs face is securing safe, affordable training facilities particularly over the winter months.
“The grant from Hull City Council’s Crime Prevention Fund will allow Hull Dockers to purchase the equipment that will allow us to utilise outdoor training facilities throughout the autumn and winter for many years to come giving children and young people the opportunity to take part in rugby league activities”.
Cllr Dave McCobb, whose portfolio includes antisocial behaviour and community safety, said: “Making Hull a safer city to live and work is a top priority for us. That is why we set up the Crime Prevention Fund last year and increased resources for it this year. It’s great to see groups bidding for schemes that will make a real difference.
“A key factor in preventing crime and antisocial behaviour is ensuring there are activities for young people to get involved in. Hull Dockers have been part of Hull since 1880 and they do fantastic work engaging and challenging children and young people.
“The lights the club is introducing will make sure the junior and youth teams can keep on playing safely right through the winter. The Dockers were the first Hull-based team to have an all-girls team play locally in the City of Hull and District Rugby League and are actively working with Hull KR to encourage and support more girls into the game.
“We’re delighted to be able to use the fund to help support grass-roots community work like this”.
Community organisations can apply easily online for grants from the Crime Prevention Fund, ranging from £500 to £25,000. Awards are made on a rolling basis. Visit and apply now: https://www.hull.gov.uk/crime-and-safety/community-crime-and-prevention/crime-prevention-fund
