Places to hold the UK champs has been mentioned by a few people, and while I think this would probably be too much for us, I did think it might be worth doing another courts survey in case we decide to hold something where we'd need a bigger space than powerhouse.
I also noticed this page http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do;j... which is a search of the councils website for MUGA planning permission, it might through up some places we'd missed with new surfaces and if we catch them before they are built we might be able to influence things that would be good for polo use.
Courts
Sun, 12/01/2014 - 10:28pm
#1
snottyotter
Courts
http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?ac...
This one seems to be in Rusholme, and while too small could be worth looking at anyway. 53° 27.502', -2° 13.360'
The only way I know of to be able to hold a Euro Qualies/National Champs standard event in Manchester currently is to hire a single court at Trinity School and board it up into two - the 3 courts are too big as they are.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=trinity+school+manchester&hl=en&ll=53.466...
The main advantage would be minimised infrastructure costs (two walls and buttresses) and good central location with changing facilities.
No idea what they would charge for weekend hire these days or whether they would allow a four day weekend booking (to allow for build/take down). Maybe Rob you can ring them up or go down for a chat at reception.
Think those courts are managed by 'Trinity Sports Centre' http://www.trinitysportscentre.com/prices
Time for a lunchtime chat with them? I suspect Rob's beard would scare them.
Could do - work across the road from them.
Make it clear which ones we want to use, their website doesn't mention the 3 plain tarmac courts at all. The netball courts are painted with grippy stuff and they'd probably worry a lot about us damaging the coating.
They might not have a price on file for the plain tarmac ones, so try to make it seem like you're doing them a favour ;-)
Might be worth doing another scout around so we're at least informed, even if we don't use them. There is one large court with a lovely looking surface near me but it's another school based one and is fenced not boarded.
I will go have a look tomorrow or something then go have a chat when I have a better idea. Try and get some photos of the surface/dimensions etc
There's a ginnel you can go down between the flats to view the courts from the left. I have spoken to reception about them a year ago - as mentioned, those courts weren't featured on the rate card at the time because they've just upgraded everything else and didn't imagine anyone would pay for old school footy facilities. They'll need a ball rolling on them to check how smooth they are.
The surface is the only thing I'd worry about there, could be perfect if cheap otherwise. It'd be good to keep an eye out for new bigger single courts too for occasional "big court" games, the rest of the world seems to be all about 20x40 minimum so it'd be nice to practice that and all the wonderful long passing I'm sure it would entail.
After skirting the perimeter, you'll be excited to know that the layout for pretty much all the courts is completely different now.
I am going to go back tomorrow afternoon once the school day is over to speak to the sports centre, have a proper look at the courts and try and do a quick sketch of the layout for where the 3 tarmac courts used to be. It seems to be split into 2x tarmac 5-a-side courts, 2x 'green' 5-a-side courts and 3 netball courts. The court at the west of the centre and bit with the grass/rectangles now appears to be carparking but is still marked up for courts.
There is the handy addition of some large, permanent looking, canopy/umbrella structures (shelter from the extreme Manchester sunshine) and a bunch of picnic tables etc.
As I said, will go back with a notepad, camera, polo ball and possible a measuring tape when there are no students. Hopefully it's a bit damp and I'll be able to get an idea of how level the courts are/if there's puddles developing.
Will also make enquires about this: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d356!2d-2.2099182!...
Can't quite figure out what it's used for based on the pricing listed on the website.
Too far out? https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!data=!1m4!1m3!1d355!2d-2.2776337!...
If you want a hand I can easily be about tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks for the offer, should be ok for Trinity though, will do the others another time :)
I might try and have a look at the armitage centre tomorrow if this illness doesn't get worse, it's a really good location and they already put on weekend tournaments for other sports like lacrosse and things. I'm sure there was a reason it was no good before.
Probably price or summer availability...
Safe parking & Salford?
For reference, where were the last 3 UK champs and/or Euro Qualifiers, how many courts did they have?
Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh I think, 2,2,1 respectively, again I think.
For UK champs, last euro qualifiers were London weren't they. I missed them.
Or Cambridge was dual purpose, year before was separate with a rainy London qualifier.
Ooh, Edinburgh had two courts too.
Ok, thanks. Seems feasible with 2 courts then.
Burmingham?
I can't remember what was what, but yeah Birmingham sounds right too, was it last year?
Yeah, it was Birmingham not Bristol, they also had 2 courts, I think I had the Bristol open in my head.
Not sure if I'll get to the Armitage centre today, I'll try. A bit of googling reveals that the surface is a bit crappy and puddles form in the wet, but they have had recent work done so maybe had it resurfaced?
Tum should really go have a look, he lives seconds away...
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