Latest news with #grassrootsFootball
ABC News
4 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Do we need menopause accredited workplaces?
In this edition The Conversation Hour we explore the impact of menopause on women in the workforce, and ask whether menopause accredited workplaces would be an effective means of retaining staff or further stigmatise women experiencing menopause. Also, in this edition, the State government's decision to axe the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, has drawn criticism over the weekend with grass roots football players wearing red arm bands - we discuss the broader implications of the decision. Plus, as Vinnies launches and online boutique offering high end labels we look at how the role of op shops is changing.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
London council ‘will kill off grassroots football clubs' with parking charge
A Labour council will kill off grassroots football clubs with a £5.70 parking charge, critics have claimed. Hackney council is proposing to levy the charges at Hackney Marshes, where former England footballers John Terry and David Beckham once played. Local clubs have branded the move a 'money-grabbing scheme' which has left them fearing for the future of grassroots football. Riza Demirbas, who runs a local men's team called Onetouchables FC, has launched a petition against the charges and secured has more than 1,000 signatures. The 30-year-old said: 'It's a real kick in the teeth. It's a money-grabbing scheme from the council. 'We already all pay Hackney council a lot just to play there. Every month, we pay just under £200 in pitch fees, plus £90 for referees. 'Not to mention, there are over 100 teams in the league so they're making enough money from all of us. 'Why do they need to charge for parking too? 'It becomes even more stupid when you realise the charges are higher than what they charge at Westfield Shopping Centre,' said Mr Demirbas. 'It's going to drive clubs out of the Marshes. They won't be able to afford to play any more.' Hackney council has put signs in the Hackney Marshes Centre car park informing drivers of its plan to introduce hourly charges from July, seven days a week. These would be £2.60 for zero emission cars, £3.70 for petrol cars which are registered from 2005, £4.70 for diesel vehicles registered from 2015, and £5.70 for all other vehicles – as well as for payments made at machines. Hackney council said: 'We're proud that Hackney Marshes is the home of grassroots football, and we have put in huge investment in recent years to maintain and improve Hackney Marshes Centre and the pitches that are used by thousands of people from Hackney and across the capital every week. 'We know not everyone can access the marshes by public transport, which is why we provide two dedicated car parks. 'These proposals aim to ensure those who need to park can continue to do so affordably, with fees for most vehicles in line with similar facilities and only the most polluting paying the maximum charge. 'The fees we are proposing would bring parking at Hackney Marshes in line with all other council-managed car parks, help improve air quality in what is Hackney's largest green space, and encourage those who can use sustainable forms of transport to do so.' But Mr Demirbas, who lives in Hackney, is worried about the future of his club. He said: 'I set this club up by myself as a community project. 'I was born in Hackney and there's a lot of crime here, so I really wanted to run a team to make a change – steer younger lads away from that life and give them something good for their mental and physical health. 'But I run it out of my own pocket. There's no profit. 'So I'm worried that if the charges come in I'll have to stop – and let 30 to 40 players down. 'I have to drive as I have to carry all the kit, and I also make sure to pick up some team members who live further away so everyone gets there safely. 'But because I get there early to set up, that means I'm there from 8am until 1:30pm. So I'm going to be paying £20 every Sunday to park. In what world is that feasible? 'It will hit most players. There are only two buses that go to the Marshes – and service on Sundays, when we play, is poor. 'The train station is a 20-minute walk away. So people need to drive. They really have cornered us. They know they can get away with it so they're doing it. 'But this will hit families and the community. People won't be able to afford to play anymore. 'It will push teams out of the Marshes.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
London council ‘will kill off grassroots football clubs' with parking charge
A Labour council will kill off grassroots football clubs with a £5.70 parking charge, critics have claimed. Hackney council is proposing to levy the charges at Hackney Marshes, where former England footballers John Terry and David Beckham once played. Local clubs have branded the move a 'money-grabbing scheme' which has left them fearing for the future of grassroots football. Riza Demirbas, who runs a local men's team called Onetouchables FC, has launched a petition against the charges and secured has more than 1,000 signatures. The 30-year-old said: 'It's a real kick in the teeth. It's a money-grabbing scheme from the council. 'We already all pay Hackney council a lot just to play there. Every month, we pay just under £200 in pitch fees, plus £90 for referees. 'Not to mention, there are over 100 teams in the league so they're making enough money from all of us. 'Why do they need to charge for parking too? 'It becomes even more stupid when you realise the charges are higher than what they charge at Westfield Shopping Centre,' said Mr Demirbas. 'It's going to drive clubs out of the Marshes. They won't be able to afford to play any more.' Hackney council has put signs in the Hackney Marshes Centre car park informing drivers of its plan to introduce hourly charges from July, seven days a week. These would be £2.60 for zero emission cars, £3.70 for petrol cars which are registered from 2005, £4.70 for diesel vehicles registered from 2015, and £5.70 for all other vehicles – as well as for payments made at machines. Hackney council said: 'We're proud that Hackney Marshes is the home of grassroots football, and we have put in huge investment in recent years to maintain and improve Hackney Marshes Centre and the pitches that are used by thousands of people from Hackney and across the capital every week. 'We know not everyone can access the marshes by public transport, which is why we provide two dedicated car parks. 'These proposals aim to ensure those who need to park can continue to do so affordably, with fees for most vehicles in line with similar facilities and only the most polluting paying the maximum charge. 'The fees we are proposing would bring parking at Hackney Marshes in line with all other council-managed car parks, help improve air quality in what is Hackney's largest green space, and encourage those who can use sustainable forms of transport to do so.' 'It will push teams out' But Mr Demirbas, who lives in Hackney, is worried about the future of his club. He said: 'I set this club up by myself as a community project. 'I was born in Hackney and there's a lot of crime here, so I really wanted to run a team to make a change – steer younger lads away from that life and give them something good for their mental and physical health. 'But I run it out of my own pocket. There's no profit. 'So I'm worried that if the charges come in I'll have to stop – and let 30 to 40 players down. 'I have to drive as I have to carry all the kit, and I also make sure to pick up some team members who live further away so everyone gets there safely. 'But because I get there early to set up, that means I'm there from 8am until 1:30pm. So I'm going to be paying £20 every Sunday to park. In what world is that feasible? 'It will hit most players. There are only two buses that go to the Marshes – and service on Sundays, when we play, is poor. 'The train station is a 20-minute walk away. So people need to drive. They really have cornered us. They know they can get away with it so they're doing it. 'But this will hit families and the community. People won't be able to afford to play anymore. 'It will push teams out of the Marshes.'
