The prime minister visited West Bridgford today Wednesday 16 August – we went along to West Bridgford Colts ground in Regatta Way to meet and interview him.
Rushcliffe MP welcomes PM to West Bridgford Colts.
Ruth Edwards welcomed Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, to Rushcliffe this morning.
The pair visited West Bridgford Colts to hear about the fantastic work that they do with young people in our community.
West Bridgford Colts is the country’s largest youth football club with 1,650 players, 141 teams and a soccer school for under 5s to learn the basics of the game.
The club has produced many players who have gone on to play professionally including Lionesses hero Mary Earps who started in goal for England today.
Ruth has also been working with the Colts to improve access to defibrillators by reducing their cost for community groups after the tragic death of u17 Colt, Dylan.
Last year, Ruth took Chairman Peter Stansbury and Colts’ coach Paul Wilson to Downing Street to discuss the campaign. This resulted in the creation of a £ 1 million fund to help community groups purchase one of these life-saving machines.
During the visit, Ruth and the Prime Minister joined some of the young players to celebrate the Lioness’s World Cup semi-final victory over Australia and take part in some training.
The Prime Minister said:
“It was fantastic to get out to Rushcliffe and meet some of the brilliant young players and coaches at the West Bridgford Colts. I want to thank all the volunteers for the hard work they put in to making this club such a success.
“I know that they work closely with their local MP, Ruth Edwards, both to champion grassroots sports and on their joint campaign to improve access to defibrillators for community groups.
“It was great to meet so many talented young players, and see where Mary Earps, one of today’s Lionesses, started her career.”
Ruth said “I am delighted that the Prime Minister was able to come to West Bridgford Colts to see the passion that their young players have and to thank the incredible volunteers who make it all happen. It was great to join some of the girls who were training and to hear how inspired they are by former Colts player Mary Earps and what she’s achieved.
“Grassroots sports clubs are a hugely important part of our community and it’s clear from speaking to everyone here just how much the Colts means to people in West Bridgford and across Rushcliffe.”
Colts Chairman, Peter Stansbury said “West Bridgford Colts were proud to host the Prime Minister at our home ground in West Bridgford today. As the biggest grassroots club in the country, it was a great opportunity to talk to the Prime Minister about the successes, opportunities and challenges we have as a club.
“The success of the Lionesses today and over recent years has led to a huge increase in interest in our club and demand for places at our club. Whilst we provide opportunities for over 1600 players we have a waiting list of 100 and with more facilities, we can provide more opportunities for all local children to play sport and gain the social and physical benefits of it.
“The Prime Minister was very engaged and interested in our club and spent a long time talking with our children. It was a privilege to showcase our club to him and to discuss our plans to provide even more children with the chance to play the beautiful game.”
