image source, Andrew Turner/BBC
- author, andrew turner
- role, reporter
A community sports shop has opened in town so that low-income people can participate in activities.
Good Sports officially launched on Friday at the former McColls convenience store on The Boulevard in Market Gates Shopping Center in Great Yarmouth.
The idea is that people donate their unused or unwanted sportswear and equipment and sell it at a low price.
Proceeds from the shop help fund community-wide events.
Jack Jay, chairman of Great Yarmouth Town Football Club, is a co-founder of the project.
“The idea behind this is to make things that are very expensive, like clothing, trainers, equipment, tops, etc. as accessible as possible to try to get people active and involved.”
“Everything that comes out of this sports shop will be raising money for us to do great things.” [like] Host events to get people more active and involved in the community.
“Anything related to sports and leisure: tops, trainers, boots, gloves, equipment, tennis rackets, golf clubs, golf balls, tennis balls, soccer balls, goalkeeper gloves, etc. I’m chasing you.”
Shop manager Karen Wright said there was a clear need as many children enrolled in the town's football club's junior leagues could not afford kit.
“People can bring in unwanted items like sports clothing and shoes,” she said.
“If someone needs an item, they can buy it and on a case-by-case basis we can assess and provide them with clothing or footwear.
“Due to the cost of living crisis, people can't afford the kit and items they need, so we want to help people stay healthy, active and join clubs.”
Great Yarmouth Town Community Interest Company director Trevor Saunders joined the project after running a food bank, a Christmas shopping project and another business providing suits and interviewing skills to job seekers.
He said: “By removing cost barriers to participation in sport and leisure, we want to help people become more physically and mentally active and improve their wellbeing.
“That's what this store is all about: empowering people to be active.”
image source, Andrew Turner/BBC
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