Transformation of Haxby’s Ethel Ward Sport Courts

Aim

We need to raise £75k to transform Haxby’s Ethel Ward sports courts into a safe, multi-sports hub for netball, junior football and more.

Why We’re Crowdfunding

Our current courts at Ethel Ward Playing Fields are in urgent need of refurbishment. 

They are no longer safe. Last resurfaced in 1999, they’re dangerously slippery when wet or icy and they are not suitable for any other sports leaving them underutilised and empty, hundreds of junior football players and netball players who live in Haxby have to play matches and train elsewhere. This disconnects us from our community, increases travel time and costs, and has a negative impact on the environment. Unfortunately it also discourages people from giving netball a try and prevents us from starting up a junior netball offering.

Haxby Junior Football Club has 270 players under the age of 17. At present, they spend thousands of pounds each winter on external training venues outside of our village.

Together with Haxby Runners and Haxby Town Junior and Senior Football Clubs, we’re working to transform the site into a safe, inclusive multi-sport hub for all ages and abilities.

We see this as an opportunity to transform the space, not just for netball, but as a multi-purpose facility that serves the wider community. We also have a hugely popular running club in Haxby who recently held their first 10k event and also a large senior football club – both clubs would also benefit from this improved facility.

We all believe sport is more than just a game or an activity, it’s a way to build friendships, boost mental health, and foster community pride. 

Our vision is to create a multi-sport hub that promotes inclusion, well-being, and opportunity across Haxby and Wigginton and with the right investment, we can create a shared, inclusive space that supports the local community.

How We’ll Use the Money

We’re aiming to raise £75,000 to:

• Install a durable, low maintenance multi-sports, all-weather surface
• Support local teams who currently have to train outside Haxby due to lack of suitable venues.
• Increase usage and accessibility for all ages and abilities
• Offer a safe space for warm-ups, fitness, and informal play
• Improve physical and mental health and wellbeing
• Create community pride.
• Reduce anti-social behaviour by enhancing green spaces and facilities.
• Reduce road miles and carbon footprint having a positive effect on the local environment and reducing traffic on the roads
• Fund Club members to attend Mental Health First Aid for Sport training  to improve support for club members
• If funding allows, we would also like to switch our flood lights over to solar energy

Who are we?

We are Haxby Netball Club, based in the heart of Haxby, just outside York. For over 45 years, we’ve been a significant part of York’s sporting community, offering a safe and welcoming space for women and girls of all ages to connect, get active, and thrive. With over 60 members competing in leagues across York and the region, we’re proud to be one of the largest and most active clubs in the area. We want to be role models for women and girls, encouraging participation in sport and promoting accessibility, inclusion, and well-being across Haxby, Wigginton, and York. We are is passionate about empowering women and girls through sport. 

Haxby Junior Football Club has 270 players under the age of 17. Haxby Town was established 20 years ago, by a group of local people who wanted to create an opportunity for young players to enjoy football. The club’s ethos is to provide an environment which gives young players an opportunity to learn the game of football in a competitive but fun environment.

Thanks to previous fundraising, we’ve already upgraded fencing, lighting, and accessibility features. Now, we need your help to complete the transformation.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. If you want to run your own fundraiser to support us, maybe a sponsored activity or similar, use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made