A GRASSROOTS football team in Basingstoke will celebrate the official opening of their new 11-a-side grass football pitch.
Basing Royals, based in Old Basing, will open their home ground at 3.30pm on Sunday, October 15.
Former Premier League footballer Dave Kitson will grace the event with his presence, cutting the ribbon to officially open the pitch.
Basing Royals were established in 2018 with a deep-seated commitment to the community.
READ MORE: Winklebury Wizards have no pitches to play in Basingstoke
Comprising children from Old Basing, the founders, including chairman Eddie Fairish, believed they could create a football club that embodied values such as respect, community, and trust.
The club's foundation was built around nurturing and developing young talent.
They began with two U1 junior teams. At present, the club boast two U14 teams and a veterans' men's team, all dedicated to promoting grassroots football in the area.
The new pitch is a fruit of the hard work and cooperation of the club members with the parish council, trustees of the Common, and Hampshire County Council.
Eddie said: "We used to play at Sherfield school, but we dreamt of having our own grass pitch. In 2018, we connected with the trustees of the Common – Cllr Onnalee Cubitt and Cllr Sven Godeson. They loved our idea to transform local common lands into a football pitch."
The journey to create the pitch was not without its challenges, including the unforeseen impact of Covid.
The team collaborated with the parish council and the county council to navigate the complexities of grants, planning, and wildlife conservation checks.
The club secured a £10,000 grant from the parish council, while the club contributed an additional £7,000, bringing the total project cost to approximately £17,000.
To raise funds, the club organised a fun run that divided its proceeds between the club and a charity.
They also hosted quarterly quizzes and family events, with support from the Old Basing Royal British Legion.
SEE ALSO: Sherfield-on-Loddon wins Village of the Year 2023 award
Businesses, including Exertis and ISS, also generously supported the club.
The club's vision for a dedicated football pitch for the community took a major step forward when the work began in October last year.
The Basing Royals' dedication and commitment to fostering a respectful and well-run club haven't gone unnoticed.
Many of the young players who began their football journey with Basing Royals have gone on to represent Basingstoke Town and even the school district team, reflecting the club's pivotal role in nurturing local talent.
The club has been honoured with a Nationwide Building Society Respect Award, earning recognition as one of the top 30 teams in the country.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here