News / Bressay pitches in
A TEN year community effort to establish a sports pitch on the isle of Bressay was realised at the weekend when it was formally opened.
That fount of Shetland footballing wisdom, Jim Peterson, did the honours of cutting the ribbon ahead of a friendly between the local squad and Sandwick in front of a supportive crowd, despite the home team losing 3-4.
The playing field was the brainchild of ferryman and goalkeeper Kenny Groat, who worked tirelessly from the formation of Bressay Sports Club in 2003 until the grand sum of £290,000 had been raised from government agencies and the council, with the local community pitching in £9,000.
It is now the home ground of the local football team, which hopes to be rewarded by being one of two teams chosen to join the Works League out of the 14 currently applying.
The club also has its own grass cutting and line marking equipment, and sevens rugby could be the next sport to be played there.
Groat also hopes the pitch will bolster the island’s confidence at a time when the axe is hovering over the local primary school as commuting islanders educate their bairns the other side of Bressay Sound.
“This is one facility we hope that folk will be happy is in the island,” he said.
“It’s our own safe area to play and train in and we are hoping it will be used by the school.
“The school bairns could then ask other schools to come over here instead of always feeling they have no identity of their own because they are always having to go to Lerwick for everything.”
Groat, who received much credit during Saturday evening’s celebratory speeches, said he was very pleased with the final result and heaped praise on the support from the local community.
Now he is gearing himself up for the next challenge, to raise cash for Phase Two: toilets and a changing area.
“We have started saving already,” he said.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
