Schools step in to help footballers
Thursday, 26th October 2000.
HAVERHILL'S thriving football school could be saved from closure after both the town's upper schools pledged cash for it.
The school looked doomed to close in May after St Edmundsbury Borough Council withdrew its £41,000 funding which had been available since it opened two years ago.
The Bury St Edmunds Soccer School is now run by West Suffolk College but the Haverhill one looked likely to end unless alternative funding could be found.
Eric Armstrong, Haverhill Leisure Centre manager, said he was now much more hopeful the school could be saved as both Samuel Ward and Castle Manor Upper Schools had offered some funding next year.
Other funding sources were also being investigated and it was hoped sponsorship could also be found to ensure Robert Munro, director of football, could continue in his role. MP Richard Spring had also pledged his support and was trying to help find other funding.
"We are discussing the exact levels of funding with the schools, but it is looking a lot more promising than a few months ago," Mr Armstrong said.
"We want to make sure we don't lose the coaching skills and expertise of Rob Munro. The school is part of a football strategy to raise standards of football for the whole town, not just the few who attend it."
Howard Lay, head teacher at Samuel Ward Upper School, said both he and Castle Manor Upper deputy head Graham Hepworth had agreed to include some funding in their budget for next year.
"We fully support the football school and think it is a very good thing for the whole town," Mr Lay said.
The school looked doomed to close in May after St Edmundsbury Borough Council withdrew its £41,000 funding which had been available since it opened two years ago.
The Bury St Edmunds Soccer School is now run by West Suffolk College but the Haverhill one looked likely to end unless alternative funding could be found.
Eric Armstrong, Haverhill Leisure Centre manager, said he was now much more hopeful the school could be saved as both Samuel Ward and Castle Manor Upper Schools had offered some funding next year.
Other funding sources were also being investigated and it was hoped sponsorship could also be found to ensure Robert Munro, director of football, could continue in his role. MP Richard Spring had also pledged his support and was trying to help find other funding.
"We are discussing the exact levels of funding with the schools, but it is looking a lot more promising than a few months ago," Mr Armstrong said.
"We want to make sure we don't lose the coaching skills and expertise of Rob Munro. The school is part of a football strategy to raise standards of football for the whole town, not just the few who attend it."
Howard Lay, head teacher at Samuel Ward Upper School, said both he and Castle Manor Upper deputy head Graham Hepworth had agreed to include some funding in their budget for next year.
"We fully support the football school and think it is a very good thing for the whole town," Mr Lay said.
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