Hill hopes OBA support Shelly Bay clubhouse idea
Under the previous Government, Corey Hill’s push to have a club facility built at Shelly Bay Field was gaining momentum late last year.Now the Hamilton Parish youth soccer coach hopes the new Government will buy into his idea of building a structure in order to serve the many teams — including five junior and a senior team from Hamilton Parish — that use the field every week.“Basically there is a new Government but my idea is still the same, nothing’s changed. I just need to make contact with the necessary people so that hopefully we can get this thing moving,” said Hill who hopes Government’s tightening up of their finances doesn’t force them to throw cold water on the idea.“We’re at a point now where I’m getting different people in the community asking me if it is still on the table and in my eyes it is and will always be until the programme gets what it needs.”On Saturdays there are a few hundred players and parents watching the junior teams play in the various age groups ranging from under six to under 14s. Not having proper changing or bathroom facilities, or even shelter in inclement weather, is not the idea situation, says Hill.“We formed a Pee Wee league and it just so happens we use Shelly Bay for the games,” said Hill. ‘Every Saturday from the beginning of February to the end of March you can get 500 to 800 people using the field without any facilities. That is separate from what we need to run our programme.“This facility is not only about us, it’s about everybody and it has come to a point where it is getting frustrating trying to operate under these conditions. Just last night I had to take a kid to my mom’s house — she lives on Radnor Road — to use the bathroom. I had to leave the training session and when I got back another kid had to lay on the ground because he was feeling sick. These are the type of things we’re going through that is so frustrating.”Hill says he has no doubt money spent to build the facility will be money well spent as it would help meet several needs, including being used as an after school facility.“This is going to benefit hundreds of people so when you make cutbacks you have to prioritise,” said Hill who grew up playing cricket and football on the field himself.“It’s a no-brainer, everybody knows what we’re dealing with with our social problems. This is a perfect opportunity for the Government, or a business, to come in and put some money down and do something that is going to benefit hundreds of people. Here, the cost is minimum but the profits are huge and it needs to happen.“I just hope that the powers that be see the vision that we see at Hamilton Parish’s youth soccer programme and that they can help us move forward.”As the field is Government owned, they have the final say in an development there.“I have a business that is willing to carry the cost if Government isn’t in a financial position to get something done immediately,” said Hill. “All the groundwork has been done and I have a business/future sponsor of our programme who is willing to cover the cost of construction. He would build it himself and the Government will reimburse him at the end of the job.”He has family in the programme and sees what is needed. We’re not talking about seven figures to build it.”