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Community
Guests of honour Amanda Holden, and former England footballer
Jermaine Jenas celebrate Springfield Youth Club’s 56th year at their
Annual Presentation Night
The presentation evening, held this past March at Clapton’s Anthony Marsh Building, was
an opportunity to recognise young members and adult volunteers alike, as well as those
organisations and individuals that have supported the club over the past twelve months.
14 LOVEEAST
Hackney’s very own Springfield Soul opened
the ceremony with a fantastic performance of
music and dance and the evening progressed
with the introductions of Paul Stewart, Executive
Chairman; Michael Keogh, Deputy Chairman;
Said Hersi, Director; and Steve Herbert,
Club Manager. A video, created by the club,
highlighted the past year of trips, performances
and competitions, and members and volunteers
alike were presented with awards to honour their
efforts.
As a singer, actress, and judge on Britain’s Got
Talent, Amanda has a real appreciation for what
Springfield does. “I was desperate to be an
actress and had no kind of way of doing it back
then. Amazingly, this woman started a theatre
club and everybody went down there. For me
that is where this all started.”
No stranger to understanding the value of youth
clubs and organized activities himself, Jermaine
commented: “I have to say, having walked into
the building for the first
time you can’t help but just
be massively impressed.
These are people who
sacrifice their own time and are spending time away from their families
to make sure that the youth can grow and shine. Everyone here today
should really appreciate that.”
Established in 1961 and located in Upper Clapton, Springfield Youth Club
began as a boy’s club, expanding their membership to girls in 1999.
Since that time, the club has run a variety of programmes for Hackney
youth including Football, Dance, Roller Skating, Drama, Art & Crafts,
Basketball, Fencing, Singing and Technology based activities. Through
these activities, members develop social, team building, leadership and
communication skills, which are vital in today’s society.
With a current, thriving membership of over three hundred young
people ranging in age from 8 – 17, the club is a safe haven for them to
meet, discover and develop their interests, forge relationships and, of
course, have fun in the process. Founder Anthony Marsh’s aim was
to “help each child or young person find interests, and to help each
individual to develop, as far as they can, towards being a useful citizen
of tomorrow”. That ethos carries on today as the club continues to
provide support and improve the quality of the educational and social
activities on offer.
TO FIND OUT MORE
By
developing
their physical,
mental and
spiritual
capacities,
they will grow
to full maturity
as responsible
individual
members of
our society.
@YClub14
Springfield Youth Club
springfieldclub.co.uk
info@springfieldclub.co.uk
020 8806 1168
Springfield Youth Club For Young People
The Anthony Marsh Building
Big Hill, Upper Clapton, E5 9HH
Patron: HRH Prince Michael of Kent
GCVO
President: Sir Jackie Stewart, Formula
One World Champion
If you are 8-17 years of age and would
like to become a member please call
020 8806 1168 (evenings only) or
email club manager Steve Herbert:
steveh@springfieldclub.co.uk
Images courtesy of Springfield Youth Club