All welcome at The Cove from 7.30pm
The sporting community in Torbay and South Devon will have a massive part to play in the future of Torquay United – That will be the message from the Plainmoor hierarchy to a meeting of Sport Torbay later this month.
The meeting will focus almost entirely on the Bryn Consortium now running the club and plans to reach out to and involve the community through a special trust and development programme.
Co-chair Michael Westcott, consultant Mark Lovell and Matt Anthony, manager of the Torquay United Community Sports Trust, will set out its vision, mission for the football club and how it intends to connect with the local community, including its official charity – the Torquay United Community Sports Trust – in ensuring the professional football club supports local sports and addresses societal issues.
The Bryn Consortium took control of United on May 31. It placed community development, and specifically developing youth programmes, high on its agenda along with building a financially sustainable community football club.
Westcott said: “Torquay United is the largest professional sports organisation in South Devon and a significant community asset, and this status comes with responsibilities towards the communities we serve.
“We are looking forward to the meeting with Sport Torbay as we look to increase our engagement with all stakeholders in all sports across the area, and so we are excited to share our vision and plans. We recognise that we have an important role to play in helping to make sport accessible to everyone and to help other sporting organisations and clubs towards sustainability and increasing participation levels.”
Sport Torbay chairman Jim Parker said: “I’d like to say a big thank-you to Michael and his team for taking time out of their busy schedules to present. It is all about working together. I hope clubs and individuals will make sure we have a good turnout.”
The Sport Torbay meeting is in The Cove restaurant at Torquay United’s Plainmoor ground on Thursday, October 24 (7.30pm). All are welcome, including old and new members – and United supporters.