Over the past 14 years, I've had the privilege of watching our basketball club grow from a humble gathering of just five enthusiasts into a thriving community of diverse individuals, all brought together by our love for the sport. Our club not only embraces basketball as a means of recreation but as a vehicle to celebrate multiple ethnicities, fostering community spirit and unity. However, bolstering this local treasure has its challenges, primarily due to inadequate and prohibitively expensive sporting facilities.

Since 2011, Dewsbury has had an underutilized gem – a sports facility that has remained closed and empty formally known as Birkdale high school which has a detached building in its own land for the sports section. The council currently has no plans for its use, but our basketball club sees a golden opportunity. Taking control of this space would allow us to run our club's activities, while also offering it as a venue for other community clubs when not in use by us.

This facility's revival is not just about basketball. It's an opportunity to enrich our community’s sporting culture, making viable recreation options accessible and affordable for everyone in Dewsbury. The existing halls in the area either don't meet the necessary standards for basketball or are so costly that they pose a financial barrier for community clubs.

We propose that the council allow our basketball club to utilize this vacant facility. This initiative promises a cost-effective solution to enhance community engagement, boost local sports, and bring long-term benefits to Dewsbury by opening doors for all backgrounds and age groups to participate in sports throughout the year.

Join us in urging the council to grant us access to this facility, turning an idle space into a hub of activity and community well-being. Sign this petition to support a brighter, more inclusive future for sports in Dewsbury.