The Coalfields Regeneration Trust [CRT] has awarded grants of £3,000 and £2,805 respectively to Clackmannan Bowling Club and and Alloa Saints Football Club, both of which are crucial assets to their local Clackmannanshire communities.
Clackmannan Bowling Club’s grant has gone toward replacing the club’s 30-year-old glazed windows, while the grant awarded to Alloa Saints will be invested into improving coach training.
As of early July, Clackmannanshire Bowling club boasted a 76 strong membership, including a youth section, and also functions as a meeting venue for local groups such as Clackmannan Community Council.
As the only local facility available for social hire, which is fully accessible and equipped with disabled toilets, the venue is key to the local community. The clubhouse has undergone extensive refurbishment to accommodate a significant projected increase in social function bookings but had retained its dated glazed window units. While structurally sound, the windows had assumed a misted appearance due to water ingress, but the grant from CRT has enabled these to be replaced with new units which can be opened, enhancing the experience for match spectators.
Ricky Bond, president of the Clackmannan Bowling Club, commented: “This will make a huge difference to spectators of the game which there are many. Clackmannan Bowling Club will be the county green in 2023 where all major competitions will be held so to have the windows replaced will make a huge difference.”
CRT Scotland trustee, Bob Young, added: “It’s a privilege to be able to help maintain and improve the clubhouse, which acts as an important community venue, both in its role as the heart of the Clackmannan Bowling Club and its position as an accessible facility for social functions.”
Meanwhile, Alloa Saints is using its newfound funding to train additional coaches, who will eventually play a key role in the club’s expansion which will help address the needs of its rapidly growing membership.
As of the end of June, the club’s membership totalled some 220 people, including 170 juniors. It trains and hosts regular matches at Alloa Academy and the Clackmannanshire County Cricket Club.
As well as providing opportunities for training and playing football, Alloa Saints also educates its players in CPR and how to use a defibrillator, in collaboration with charity partner Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. Each age group team within the club has received a defibrillator and CPR training has been introduced for all players and parents.
Young said: “We’re thrilled to be able to support Alloa Saints FC with facilitating the training of new coaches, as the club delivers a fantastic service to local members and teaches important skills both on and off the pitch.”
Paul Robertson, chair of Alloa Saints FC, added: “This (funding) is a great boost to the club and allows us to get an additional 30 coaches qualified. We are indebted to the staff at CRT who guided us through the application process.”
Photo by tommao wang on Unsplash
