Chris Kamara joins Sky Bet at launch of Middlesbrough Community Hub project
First site visit takes place after grant from Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
Key points:
– Southlands Hub in Middlesbrough has received a £100,000 ($134,565) grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund
– Kamara and Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke attended the first official site visit
The Southlands Community and Sports Hub in Park End, Middlesbrough has hosted its first site visit following a £100,000 grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
The hub is being built on the site of the former Southlands Centre on Ormesby Road. The project is led by Middlesbrough Council in partnership with the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation, with additional support from central government.
Attendees at the visit included former professional footballer and broadcaster Chris Kamara, Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald and Charlotte Dinsdale, Head of the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation.
The Building Foundations Fund was set up by Sky Bet and the EFL to support grassroots projects through investment in sport, education and social initiatives.
In other news this year, there have been recent platform updates from Sky Bet and a High Court ruling against Sky Betting & Gaming in a case concerning customer data.
Good to know: The hub is scheduled to open in early summer 2026
The development is planned in two stages. The first includes the hub building, community meeting rooms, a social space, upgraded 3G and grass pitches and new open areas for sport and recreation. The second stage will provide further facilities.
Kieran Forde, Sky Bet Head of Sponsorship, stated: “We’re incredibly proud to support the Southlands Community and Sports Hub through the Building Foundations Fund.”
Kamara added: “Growing up in Park End, I know first-hand how much this community loves its sport and deserves top-class facilities.”
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