The Leicester Riders Foundation was proud to support the official launch of a newly refurbished multi-use games area (MUGA) on Overton Road, helping bring sport, activity and opportunity closer to young people in North Evington.
This week pupils and staff from Merrydale Infant School joined the Leicester Riders Foundation, Leicester City Football Club, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue and Leicester City Council to celebrate the reopening of the upgraded facility, following £193,000 of investment from the council as part of a wider citywide programme to improve community sports spaces.
For the Riders Foundation, the launch represented more than the opening of a facility, it marked the creation of a safe, accessible environment where young people can develop confidence, build friendships and experience the benefits of sport within their own neighbourhood.
Credit: Leicester Riders Foundation | Nathan Green
The refurbished MUGA now features new surfacing, improved fencing, upgraded floodlighting, basketball hoops and enhanced access points. The open-access space includes both basketball and football courts, ensuring local residents can enjoy free opportunities to stay active all year round.
During the launch event, Leicester Riders Foundation coaches delivered basketball activities and skills sessions for local schoolchildren, introducing fundamental skills through fun, inclusive games. The sessions highlighted how accessible community spaces can inspire young people to try sport for the first time and develop a lifelong love of physical activity.
Rob Jarram, Head of Leicester Riders Foundation said:
“Projects like this are incredibly important to the work we do. Having safe, high-quality spaces within local communities allows young people to be active, social and confident through sport. Basketball is a powerful tool for engagement, and facilities like the Overton Road MUGA give us the opportunity to reach more children and families, breaking down barriers to participation.”
Credit: Leicester Riders Foundation | Nathan Green
Assistant City Mayor for Sports and Leisure, Cllr Vi Dempster, highlighted the importance of the investment as part of a £2.1 million programme delivering new and refurbished games areas across the city, helping ensure communities have access to inclusive spaces for sport and recreation.
The Leicester Riders Foundation continues to work alongside local partners, schools and community organisations to create opportunities for young people through basketball, education and physical activity programmes across Leicester.
To find out more about sports and leisure facilities in Leicester, visit:
https://www.leicester.gov.uk/culture-and-sport/sports-and-leisure
