AS part of a National Lottery Sports Fund application being made by the English Basketball Association, leisure services staff in Bury are hoping to identify suitable sites for all-metal, vandal-proof goals to be erected free of charge.

The Association is hoping to provide 10,000 to councils, sports clubs, schools, youth clubs as well as neighbourhood and community groups throughout England over the next three years.

Bury Metro principal sports officer Dee Silk said: "We are trying to identify suitable sites for the goals to be erected.

"These can be public parks, open spaces, old car parks, disused tennis courts or an area of tarmac or concrete attached to a community centre, youth club, school, village hall or library.

"The minimum size area required for a single goal is 9 metres x 9 metres and sites must have free and open access to all members of the community at all times.

"The initiative by the English Basketball Association is intended to encourage young people in healthy self development, hopefully playing a significant role in guiding youngsters away from street corners towards a purposeful activity, while at the same time, inspiring and generating an interest in the sport of basketball." Anyone wanting to nominate a potential site is urged to contact Dee on 705 5914.

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