On 19th of April, Kwasi visited the Hazelwood Sporting Facilities and Community Centre in Sunbury-On-Thames.
Kwasi toured the facilities and was interested to see the versatility of the Grounds and Clubhouse. Best known as the training ground of the London Irish Amateur Rugby Club, the site is a valuable asset to the community and holds a lot of potential for further community engagement.
It is currently utilised for sports by local schools, Hazelwood Parkrun, children's football coaching, the London County Gaelic Football (GAA) club, and an American football club, the Heathrow Hurricanes. The clubhouse is also used by the community to host various events and some local organisations, such as the Spelthorne Parkinson's support group, hold regular meetings there.
During his visit, Kwasi spoke with Richie Ryan, Chairman of Hazelwood Community Company and vice president of London Irish Amateur club, and his partners about their bid to buy the site and transfer ownership to a Community Trust, with mandatory involvement from the local community. The aim of this Trust would be to create the best asset for community and amateur sport use. Kwasi supports this bid to ensure that the site can be used for community events and amateur sport in the future.