The Walker Ground

The Trustees ‘Annual Report’ for 2008-09 is now available.

Please click on this link to view the pdf

YOFE have contributed immensely to the Walker Ground – Southgate Weld Tennis Project (Phase 1) recently.

The TENNIS facilities for Youth in Enfield (13-19 years) have received additional funding to provide new court surfaces (4 tennis courts) and a wonderful practise board.

 These will be used in particular to encourage more young persons into the playing of tennis, in particular, promotional courses will be made available for local deaf / partial hearing juniors who recently benefitted from squash coaching courses at Southgate Squash & Racketball Club (also part of the Walker Ground).

The improved facilities will also be used for the promotion of netball (lines overlaying those of the tennis courts) – targeted for young sports players. The Walker Ground is planning to celebrate with a netball rally.

The court surfaces faced a delay in full use due to the recent heatwave, which started to melt the recently laid tarmac and shoes were sticking.

Future phases of developments in mind are floodlights (subject to planning permission) and astro / carpet surfacing (both subject to finances).

The complete Walker Ground – Southgate Weld Tennis Project would also like to thank Palmers Green High School, Arthur Ashby Foundation, Asda, private donator, Lawn Tennis Association and members of the Weld Tennis club – as well as YOFE (Pink Ross and her enthusiastic young team).

Please visit www.thewalkerground.co.uk for further details of all the sports and function facilities (membership and public hire).

The third annual football tournament at The Walker Ground (Waterfall Road, Southgate) was well supported by previous entrants and a few new teams.

On Tuesday Old Minchendenians Vets returned to defend the Trophy they won last year but found the competition too tough as one of 2 teams entered by the manager of Enfield Ladies FC topped their group. The surprise semi finalist was NOT SO ATHLETIC a team from accountants Nyman Libson Paul who having arrived late had to play their last 2 group games back to back. Two wins led to a 12 minute semi against Oakhill Tigers Vets and a further win saw an exhausted (but quite athletic) NOT SO in the final.

In the other group the second “Enfield Ladies Vets” came top setting up a semi final clash with their counterparts from group A.

The team styled Enfield Ladies Vets (nothing old or ladylike about them!) went on to beat the valiant Not So Athletic in the final and have agreed to go for the Cup next year.

The cup competition on Thursday was always going to be a tough event. Old Minchendenians returned with a squad they were sure could make up for Tuesdays disappointment. Last years winners and one of our home teams AC Finchley came with 2 squads and a management looking to retain the Cup. Our other home side Oakhill Tigers were clearly a contender as was Nick Salts team – 3 Serjeants Inn.

The surprise semi finalists was TEAM LYNDA recruited on the day by Lynda Colt to replace a last minute withdrawal and narrowly beaten by Oakhill Tigers. TEAM LYNDA had beaten AC Finchley to qualify with Old Minchendenians. In the other group Oakihill Tigers were top leaving AC Finchley needing to beat 3 Serjeants Inn in the last game to qualify. This game was great entertainment as the desire to go through to the semis and some disputed decisions led to a heated exchange as AC Finchley led 1-0. The ref gave a “calm down” talk and warned of 2 minute sin bins for any further dissent. Unfortunately the red mist had taken hold of 3 Serjeants Inn players so Iain Salt plus goal keeper faced AC Finchley alone as their 3 team mates spent 2 minutes on the side lines.

More drama followed as the AC Finchley / OLD MINCH semi went to penalties. Old Minch goalkeeper (Tom Sharp) had not let in a goal all night and kept all penalties from AC Finchley until beaten by their goalie but his side had only scored once so he then scored his penalty to take OLD MINCH through.

Another clean sheet saw OLD MINCH beat Oakhill Tigers in the final.

After 2 very enjoyable evenings the comment from the teams was “Why don’t you do this more often?”. The ten team 2 pitch per evening format worked well and we could spread the wear and tear by using 2 out of 3 pitches each night so if we have interest next year may see some additional evenings and perhaps a junior tournament?

For more sports information (or hire of the facilities) contact Richard Heighton / Lynda Colt – see website www.thewalkerground.co.uk or 020 8886 8381 or email office@thewalkerground.co.uk for more detail.

(photos show Enfield’s Walker Ground multi-sport environment – cricket and tennis (new courts) being played at same time outdoors, and Squash and Racketball being played at same time indoors).

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]