Town Council Launches Campaign Celebrating Women’s and Girls’ Sport in Hailsham

Hailsham Town Council has launched a new campaign celebrating the growing success of women’s and girls’ sport across the town, recognising the outstanding contribution made by local sports clubs, volunteers and community facilities in creating opportunities for women and girls of all ages to get active.

The campaign will shine a spotlight on the wide range of sporting opportunities available in Hailsham, showcasing the clubs, teams and dedicated volunteers helping to make sport more accessible and inclusive. It also highlights the important role that Town Council-maintained recreation grounds continue to play in supporting participation, health and wellbeing within the local community.

As women’s sport continues to enjoy unprecedented growth nationally, Hailsham is proud to be playing its part by providing quality facilities where local teams can train, compete and develop. Through ongoing investment in recreation grounds and partnerships with local clubs, the Town Council is committed to ensuring that sport remains accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability.

One of the town’s principal sporting venues, the Western Road Recreation Ground, remains at the heart of women’s and girls’ sport in Hailsham. Throughout the year the ground hosts regular football, cricket and tennis training sessions, league fixtures and community sporting activities.

Among its regular users is Hailsham Town FC Women, who compete in the Sussex County Women and Girls Football League. The team plays its home fixtures at the ground, usually on Sunday afternoons, and continues to inspire more women and girls to take up the sport.

The Western Road Recreation Ground is also home to Hailsham Cricket Club’s Women’s ‘Roses’ team, while the club’s thriving Under-16 Girls side plays at nearby Roebuck Park in Hellingly. Both teams reflect the continued growth of female cricket within the town and provide clear pathways for young players to progress into adult cricket.

Hailsham Tennis Club, which is also based at the Western Road Recreation Ground, fields both a Ladies 1st Team and Ladies 2nd Team in competitive regional leagues. The club’s 1st Team competes in the highest tiers of the Tennis Sussex Leagues, while the 2nd Team competes in divisions including the Tennis Sussex L9E Doubles League, providing competitive opportunities for players of varying experience and ability.

Women’s sport in Hailsham extends well beyond Town Council-managed recreation grounds. Hailsham Hockey Club, based at the Hailsham Academy Trust, fields three successful women’s teams. Its Ladies 1st Team competes in the South East Division One West, while the Ladies 2nd and Ladies 3rd Teams compete in the South East Division One Martlets League and South East Women’s Division Three Martlets respectively.

The Academy campus is also home to Hailsham Netball Club, one of the town’s fastest-growing community sports clubs. Established in 2022, the club has rapidly expanded to offer opportunities for both adults and juniors, with several competitive adult squads alongside thriving junior sections for players aged Under-12 to Under-16. The club prides itself on offering a friendly, inclusive environment where players can enjoy netball whether they are returning to the sport or trying it for the first time.

Hailsham Bowling Club, located in Vicarage Lane, has a very active ladies’ section. The club regularly competes in the Eastbourne Ladies League and hosts several internal women’s competitions, such as the Ladies Singles, Ladies Pairs and Ladies 100 Up.

Collectively, these clubs make a significant contribution to community life by promoting healthy lifestyles, improving physical and mental wellbeing, building confidence and encouraging teamwork, while creating lasting friendships and opportunities for personal development.

The Mayor of Hailsham, Councillor Chris Bryant, said: “Women’s sport has never been stronger, both nationally and here in Hailsham, and we are proud to celebrate the incredible contribution being made by our local clubs, coaches and volunteers. However, there are still hurdles these teams face and the Town Council is working to help them to further develop, via support and funding.”

“Our recreation grounds and community sports facilities provide valuable spaces where women and girls can develop their skills, enjoy being active and represent the town with pride.”

Town councillor Dave Chapman, who has long championed community sport and recreation, added: “The growth of women’s and girls’ sport in Hailsham over recent years has been remarkable. Behind every successful team are dedicated volunteers, coaches, officials and supporters who give their time to create opportunities for others, and they deserve enormous recognition for everything they do.”

“Whether someone wants to play competitively, improve their fitness, learn new skills or simply meet new people, there are fantastic opportunities available throughout Hailsham. We hope this campaign inspires more women and girls to get involved and discover a sport they enjoy.”

Hailsham Town Council remains committed to supporting local sporting organisations through the provision of high-quality recreation grounds and by working closely with clubs and partner organisations to improve sporting opportunities across the town.

As part of this campaign, the Council will publish a series of feature articles over the coming months highlighting individual women’s and girls’ teams, celebrating their achievements and exploring the positive impact they have on the local community. The campaign will also showcase the range of facilities available across Hailsham and outline how the Town Council and its partners are working together to enhance sporting provision and encourage even greater participation in the years ahead.

The Council hopes that by raising the profile of women’s and girls’ sport, more residents will be inspired to get involved – whether as players, volunteers, coaches or supporters – and help ensure that Hailsham continues to be a thriving place for community sport.