New outdoor courts to officially open with 3 on 3 tournament
Wednesday, 15-Aug-2012
We are pleased to announce the official opening of the new, resurfaced, outdoor basketball courts at Ravenscourt Park in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham will be taking place on Saturday 18 August 2012.
Representatives from the Outdoor Basketball Initiative (OBI), Sport England, Hammersmith & Fulham Council and England Basketball will be on hand during this Open Day which also features a 3 on 3 basketball tournament beginning about midday on Saturday.
The 3 on 3 tournament has competition categories for Senior Men (16-35), Over 35 Men, U16 Boys and Girls, and Open Women. For information on how to enter this tournament please contact
Frank Lamptey.
The project, funded by the OBI, Sport England and Hammersmith & Fulham Council, includes:
- An international sized basketball show court
- Resurfaced playing surfaces
- Brand new three-on-three basketball training and competition areas
- Seating for spectators and park visitors
- Improved landscaping around the courts
Cllr Greg Smith, H&F Council cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “This is excellent news for everyone who enjoys playing basketball and netball. There are so many wonderful sporting facilities in Hammersmith & Fulham and we are delighted that we can now add these new courts to that list. The London Olympics really has ‘inspired a generation’ to take part in sport and who knows, it is possible that these new courts may help Great Britain to unearth some of the future stars of the 2016 Rio Olympics.”
Mel Welch of the Outdoor Basketball Initiative, said: "The OBI was set up by England Basketball in 1995 to give free access to basketball courts in parks and open spaces throughout England, and has provided over 9,000 basketball goals. The Ravenscourt Park facility is the highlight of the entire project, and will provide a fitting and lasting legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games in one of the London’s finest parks. We have been proud to support this project as our showcase for the entire scheme.”
Welch continued by saying: “We are delighted that we have managed to find such an excellent partner as Hammersmith & Fulham Council. The location at Ravenscourt Park is the best we have found, after searching the country for a suitable Olympic legacy for our programme. Once complete our involvement will be handed over to England Basketball, and I am sure that they will be keen to use it for a number of high profile activities to showcase the sport.”
England Basketball Liaison Officer Todd Cauthorn said: “Following on from the huge success of the England Basketball/FIBA Europe 3 on 3 Tournament held in Sheffield in July, it is great to see the Outdoor Basketball Initiative, Hammersmith & Fulham Council as well as Sport England invest resources into an outdoor facility where 3 on 3 basketball can flourish. The launch of these fantastic basketball courts taking place one week after the Olympics in London is perfect timing and provides an opportunity for all those inspired by the games to pick up a basketball and play an Olympic sport that is extremely popular all over the world.”
All are welcome to the official opening of these outdoor basketball courts at Ravenscourt Park in London. Festivities begin at about 11am and include face-painting and a bouncy castle for children.
Transport links
Nearest tube: Ravenscourt Park or Stanford Brook (District)
Buses: 27, 190, 267, 391, H91, N9, N11
Walking directions
From Ravenscourt Park tube, turn left along Ravenscourt Road, right for a short distance along King Street, then right again onto Ravenscourt Avenue and straight ahead to the park entrance.
From Stanford Brook tube, head north on Goldhawk Road, turn right into Ravenscourt Gardens, then left onto Ravenscourt Park (street) and in through the park entrance.
Main entrances to Ravenscourt Park are on King Street, Ravenscourt Avenue, Ravensourt Road, Paddenswick Road and Goldhawk Road.