Giving women and girls the opportunity to play sport was at the forefront of the Udney Park proposal. I would therefore love to give an upcoming game of rugby a special mention
Thamesians RFC are one of the stakeholder clubs in the Foundation. In the last five years they have had to move pitches three times (from Marble Hill to Waldegrave School to St Marys University).
On 11th March Thamesians Women host the Rugbykinis of Suresnes from Paris in a match at St Marys University. The kick-off will be at 11am on the pitch at the main campus. Wouldn’t it have been great to have played this game at Udney park!
Thamesians will be hoping for a strong performance off the back of a season when they have been promoted to NC1. I believe that there is another rugby game at Twickenham Stadium later in the afternoon (England V France) but your support at this earlier match would be very much appreciated AND will be free rather than charged at £120 a ticket! Please feel welcome to come back to the Thamesians clubhouse on Twickenham Green after the game for a post-match celebratory drink – no matter what the score.
I am hoping that this match will act to raise the profile women’s sport in the borough and beyond. Our local MP , Munira Wilson, referenced a testimonial from one of our players in a recent parliamentary debate. This speaks volumes about why the playing of women’s sport is so important https://youtu.be/-xqJiIkcYn0
‘I’m 25 years old and have been playing rugby since I was 19. I’m 6ft1 and 85kg, and for the first 19 years of my life I hated the way I looked, felt, and I had no confidence and no motivation. I found rugby as a way of making some new friends and enjoying a run around while doing so. To say it changed my life is an understatement. Women’s sport is special, because it brings a group of people who face similar challenges in day-to-day life together, and provides a safe space, a place of encouragement and love, and lights a fire within people who didn’t realise they had it. Being around women who were praised for having different body types has skyrocketed my confidence. I feel empowered in my life outside of sport, knowing the things I’ve accomplished and my worth. I’ve also made a special group of friends for life, some incredible memories (minus a few injuries), and I cannot express how grateful I am for it.’
I hope to see you on the day and please spread the word. It would be great to have the girls of Bushey Park CC and Hearts of Teddlothian Football Club in attendance to cheer us on.
Political momentum for a CPO growing
The Udney Park Trust have released a ‘press release’ updating everyone on the momentum gathering for a CPO of the fields at Udney Park. Local hustings were held as a prelude to this week’s general election and the Trust raised a question regarding the future of the site. It was confirmed at the hustings that there was universal support for a CPO from all parties.
The tragedy of the War Memorial Pavilion has been revealed by arial photos taken by residents. These reveal that under the ownership of Mr Wu the building has fallen into such disrepair as to render future renovation work hugely expensive. The project had been to bring the changing rooms back into early use for the community clubs playing on these fields. There were relatively new boilers and heating systems installed just before Imperial College sold the site. The building interior had been dry – even if the changing rooms needed to be brought up to modern standards.
It is hugely disappointing to report that Udney park is now under offer from another group of investors headed up by local resident, Keith Williams.
Udney Park is an Asset of Community Value, defined in the Localism Act (2011) as "Land is an asset of community value if its main use is to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community." The Localism Act states that ‘social interests’ include cultural, recreational and sporting interests
