Building Community Cohesion Through Sport
A Community Project by Jon May and Tom Bennett
NEWS
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12TH AUGUST 2022
COURTS BOOKED!
Victoria ParK, Spring LanE, Malvern, WORCESTERSHIRE,WR14 1AJ, UK
Please note, the courts will be closed on Sunday 21st August for the Hillside Hoops Basketball Camp between 10am - 4pm.
Signs are now up on the fence!
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29th July 2022
BY TOM BANNER
Hillside Hoops summer basketball clinic in Malvern
A SUMMER basketball clinic is being held in Malvern to introduce young people to the sport and hone their skills.
Matt Wurmli, former England under-16 and under-18 and Worcester Wolves basketball player, is putting on the clinic for teenagers in the town in August.
35 kids between the ages of 13 and 17 have booked in the now completely full course to develop their skills and love for the sport.
The cost of renting the basketball court in Victoria Park has been completely covered by town mayor Cllr Nick Houghton, with Mr Wurmli keen to give something back to the community.
He said: "I was recently selected in the squad for the Fimba GB 35+ masters team, so am still an active player and also played last season for the Malvern Mavericks after recently returning from a snapped Achilles tendon last year.
"When I was younger, there were so many free clinics and camps for kids, with prizes you could win etc.
"The cost of living is increasing, and parents will struggle even more to be able to afford things for their children, especially sports which can be seen as a luxury and especially in the summer holidays when things get really strained.
"I wanted to put on a completely free clinic to give back quality coaching to a sport that has given me so much."
The clinic is on August 21 and runs from 10am until 4pm.
All the spaces for the course have now been fully booked, with the state-of-the-art court in Victoria Park playing host to the event.
Sponsored by FlexFibre, the event also includes a free t-shirt and prizes to be won throughout.
The clinic will be a skill-based coaching session to learn tips and tricks and develop the teens' basketball ability.
Mr Wurmli added: "Hopefully, this will be the first of many of these free clinics we absolutely should be putting on as a community instead of always trying to make money off the kids."
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11TH JUNE 2022
COURT REVIEW BY SBB - 10/10!
Victoria ParK, Spring LanE, Malvern, WORCESTERSHIRE,WR14 1AJ, UK
Malvern Hoops Basketball Courts Review by SBB_UK on TikTok - GREEK FREAK EDITION! (Follow the guys on TikTok at: tiktok.com/@sbb_uk as they attempt to review every basketball court on the planet!)
Video Link:
https://www.tiktok.com/@sbb_uk/video/7108057140161498373
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15TH MAY 2022
LANDMARK MOMENT
Victoria ParK, Spring LanE, Malvern, WORCESTERSHIRE,WR14 1AJ, UK
Drone images of the new Malvern basketball courts and aerial shots of the netball courts in development - by Colton Halls.
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12th March 2022
BY TOM BANNER
TikTok star says Malvern basketball courts are 'best in the country'
A TikTok influencer has recommended Malvern's basketball courts as some of the best in the country.
TikToker MartinD3x3 chose the Victoria Park courts as one of his favourites when asked to recommend somewhere in Worcestershire to play.
On his channel, which has more than 7,600 followers, he said the courts at Victoria Park were: "probably some of the best outdoor courts in the country.
"I think when they opened they had like 500 people come there, so it is definitely worth a visit."
The courts in Victoria Park, also known as Malvern Hoops, were officially opened in August 2021 after a number of years of planning.
The project, driven by the Malvern Hoops campaign led by Jon May and Tom Bennett, was brought about alongside their work with Malvern Town Council.
The courts have a new hi-tech playing surface made up of interlocking tiles, providing excellent traction, shock absorption and ball bounce.
They were the first in the country to use this Flex Court surface will be available on a public facility in England, with the Hoops hoping it would attract a range of users from complete beginners to league competitions and even training sessions hosted by the Worcester Wolves.
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10th FEBRUARY 2022
COMMUNITY FACEBOOK GROUP
The Malvern Courts Community Group was created as a discussion board for the new basketball facilities. Through this group you can ask questions, organise to meet friends, find new friends, report any issues, find out about upcoming events and share your photos / videos.
Looking to join the Malvern Courts Community Facebook group? Simply click here.
(Please note posting anything unrelated to this group or spamming of any kind will not be tolerated).
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2nd FEBRUARY 2022
NETBALL GOALS ARE IN!
Victoria ParK, Spring LanE, Malvern, WORCESTERSHIRE,WR14 1AJ, UK
The first phase of the netball courts are underway! Due to poor weathering conditions throughout the winter months, the netball courts development had to be delayed. The 4 goals are now in, but court markings will be added over the coming months once the good weather comes along. Stay tuned for further updates and we will be sure to keep you posted once these courts are officially ready for use.
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2nd September 2021
BY TOM BANNER
Malvern Mayor's Bonanza sees hundreds come to opening of new basketball courts
Victoria ParK, Spring LanE, Malvern, WORCESTERSHIRE,WR14 1AJ, UK
The Mayor's Bonanza, which is held every year in the town, also saw the opening of its new basketball courts by mayor Cllr Nick Houghton.
This year's event was the first to be held in Victoria Park, with the Bonanza having previously taken place in Priory Park.
£2,900 was raised for Cllr Houghton's chosen charities - What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful and The Outreach Project.
Bank Holiday Sunday say two brand new NBA-approved FlexCourt basketball courts opened by the Cllr Houghton and the Malvern Hills District Council chair Cynthia Palmer.
Victoria Park was full of crowds throughout the day with more than 500 players using the basketball courts and an estimated further 1,000 people enjoying the attractions at the Mayor’s Bonanza.
Music from Supernova, Sarah Martyn Acoustic Duo, The Brethryn, and Gene Genie and the Lemon Squeezers kept the crowds entertained throughout.
The public were also entertained with performances from Dance in Motion and Mark Russell who, as Mr Doo, wowed crowds with his circus skills.
Cllr Nick Houghton said: “This year we decided to hold the event in Victoria Park, which is a great Malvern Town Council asset.
"We saw one of the largest crowds for a Bonanza at this year’s event, which is fantastic news.
"I would like to thank everyone who came and supported the event, the councillors who volunteered on the day and of course Malvern Town Council staff who make the day possible through hard work and planning over many weeks prior to the event itself."
The official opening of the basketball courts was followed by basketball teams playing short competitions throughout the afternoon, group basketball coaches running sessions for under 16’s, under 14’s and under 11’s as well as shoot the hoop sessions too.
Jon May, one of founders of the Malvern Hoops Campaign said: “The feedback we have received from this project has been unbelievable with people from around the country including Manchester, Liverpool and London saying they wish they had this type of facility in their area.
VIEW GRAND OPENING GALLERY HERE...
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18th August 2021
BY TOM BANNER
Malvern Mayor's Bonanza returns to town again this summer
ONE of Malvern's most popular summer activities returns next weekend.
The Malvern Mayor's Bonanza promises a weekend of fun and music for families in the town.
This year's event is on Sunday, August 29, held this year in Victoria Park Playing Fields, Malvern Link from 11am – 5pm.
A town council spokesman said: "We hope you will join us in the return of this fantastic event featuring live music, performance from Dance in Motion, circus skills, meet some ferocious dinosaurs from Raptor experience, enjoy our mini funfair and have a go at some traditional fete games such as hook-a-duck and hoopla - there really will be something for all the family to enjoy.
"Once you have worked up an appetite visit our mini food court, with a food trailer providing ice creams, cold drinks and a variety of hot and cold food, Smokey Dough Pizzas, Vegan Veg Life, Friday Beer and Cocktails and Prosecco bar.
"Enjoy a fun-filled Sunday afternoon whilst listening to performers including Gene Genie and the Lemon Squeezers, Sarah Martyn Acoustic, The Brethryn and Super Nova who will be entertaining the crowds all day long."
The Mayor’s Bonanza is free to attend and will be fundraising in support of the Mayor’s charities, The Outreach Project, run by Malvern Co-operative Bookshop and What Makes You Different, Makes You Beautiful, both very local worthy causes.
In addition to this event, the Mayor will at last be officially opening the long-awaited basketball courts, with mini tournaments for all age groups to take place.
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15th JULY 2021
THE GRAND OPENING!
Victoria ParK, Spring LanE, Malvern, WORCESTERSHIRE,WR14 1AJ, UK
After a 6 year long campaign, the 29th August 2021 will see the official Malvern Hoops Campaign Grand Opening!
2 x brand new NBA approved FlexCourt basketball courts will be getting opened to the public by the Mayor at Victoria Park, Malvern (Worcestershire) at 12 noon.
Unfortunately due to Covid-19, the netball courts will be a later addition to the park and are scheduled to be open later in the year.
Thank you to everyone for all your support! Make sure to keep this date free in your diaries!
Regards, Jon & Tom
Campaign proposed references (below)
ABOUT
THE MALVERN HOOPS CAMPAIGN
BY JON MAY & TOM BENNETT
The Malvern Hoops Campaign began in 2016 after local basketball enthusiasts Jon May and Tom Bennett felt that the outdoor basketball facilities at Victoria Park, Malvern were in desperate need of refurbishment.
After more than 20 years of use, the hoops had rusted, the backboards had cracked, the nets had perished, the playing surfaces were uneven and the markings were out of date.
CAMPAIGNERS
Jon May
Campaign Leader
Tom Bennett
Campaign Leader
