Wallsend Boys Club has been going for almost 120 years. Started and supported by Swan Hunters ship yards as a way to keep the young apprentices fit and healthy it evolved and grew into probably the best grass roots football club to ever exist. 92 professional footballers have come from WBC and they promise more!
The new community hub aims to provide sport for all, going back to the ethos which was offered back in 1904, its named after Peter Olsen- one of the main funders.
‘The Peter Olsen Community Hub’- or POCH will be the home of SPORTING WALLSEND a community based, open access sports club, offering free or low cost membership to local residents. The aim is to improve the physical and mental health of all members by developing Kirkley Park into a fully inclusive community Hub, which will cater for people of all ages and abilities seven days a week. The idea is all based on inspiring the community to be happier and healthier.
There will also be outreach programmes which will ensure young people are encouraged to further develop their interests and talent at the Hub. Sporting Wallsend aims to address the existing health inequalities in the region which too often hold back local people, particularly young people, from reaching their potential.
The opening celebration saw members of the local community, funders, stake holders, media and a surprise appearance from Elliot Anderson (NUFC) Anderson, who came straight from rehab work at Newcastle training ground, attended Wallsend Boys Club as a kid and hasn’t forgotten his roots.
BBC Newcastle broadcast live from the Hub for four hours to celebrate the opening and featured interviews with Steve Dale, Chairman, Peter Olsen and Kim McGuiness- PCC.
Sporting Wallsend wants to inspire the community to be healthier & happier- to do this they need support from local people and organisations to make the Hub the success it deserves to be. If you’d like to get involved in the journey please contact: JOHN PERCIVAL, General Manager, johnp.wallsendboysclub@gmail.com