Shorts were baggier, salaries were minimal and the haircuts were definitely dodgier.
Chances are if you can remember the glorious world cup win of 1966, you were probably queuing up for autographs when football veteran Sir Geoff Hurst MBE hit town in April.
Former West Ham player Sir Geoff scored a hat trick in the win against Germany and showed off some of those skills when he met young sports coaches and players at The Firs.
Sir Geoff visited Hastings as part of his role as a McDonald’s Director of Football.
The McDonald’s project has helped pay for 21 people to go through the community coaching scheme, delivered by the Council’s Sports Development team. These coaches have been busy running after school and holiday football sessions.
The project has also attracted the support of Sussex Police because of the positive messages it gives out.
Chief Inspector Martin Sims, of Sussex Police, said:
"We are very proud to be leading an initiative that has really made a positive impact on the community, hopefully changing lives and creating opportunities.
Council officers, councillors, police officers and McDonald’s staff joined coaches and young players to welcome Sir Geoff to The Firs and the Pupil Development Centre building, just inside the grounds.
Councillor Peter Finch, lead member for Leisure and Cultural Development, said:
"Sir Geoff’s visit meant a lot to all the coaches and young people who have taken part in the scheme."
"This training has had a really positive effect on the community and as a Council we have helped support sports in general through the opening of five multi-use games areas across the town. We are committed to getting Hastings active and making provision for our sporting stars of tomorrow."
Five new multi-use games areas were opened and ready for play earlier this year. The pitches in Alexandra Park, White Rock Gardens, The Grove School, Torfield School and at The Firs are state-of-the-art sports areas designed to be accessible venues for a range of sports and activities.
These games areas are fantastic additions to our town’s leisure facilities and have allowed us to access funding from the National Lottery and Sport England to fund them. The investment from Sport England was part of the largest single award in the South East, and is part of a wider three-year programme encouraging residents to be more active.
The areas are safe, well lit and practical, providing the perfect location for many games and events. we look forward to seeing them enjoyed over the coming months.
Our Active Hastings team is looking for ideas for organised sports sessions on the new sports areas, email your suggestions to activehastings@hastings.gov.uk
For more information, please call 0845 274 1050.
Back to top of page...
< Issue 32 Index | Tressell Training >
This page last updated: 12/07/2006