08/07/2020
The following was a report for the Central YMCA in 1999:
Centymca Sports Ground,
Our 19-acre sports ground in Mottingham, situated between, Eltham and Blackheath, is home ground to Central YMCA’s football and cricket clubs. The nine football pitches, three cricket squares, changing and canteen facilities are expertly maintained by two full-time staff. The sports ground is in heavy demand for hire by local clubs and was again oversubscribed.
Two new football pitches were introduced last year to cater for under nine-year-olds in the new seven a-side competitions. They proved so popular that another one plus a junior eleven a-side pitch was introduced. All areas of the ground are now fully utilised and have enabled many more people to make use of the ground.
The year saw an estimated 15,000 customers through the gates to use the facilities. Upward of 1,600 of this figure was as a result of the newly introduced junior pitches. Special events during this period saw the Royal National Theatre Cricket Club enjoy a 21st Anniversary match with a number of well-known personalities taking part. The Barbados Overseas Cricket Association held a fun day and charity match against a representative side from the Barbadian High Commission. An estimated 500 people attended and helped to raise funds in aid of Sickle Cell Anaemia and Lupus sufferers. The Bexley and District Junior League finals were held once again with the mayor of Bexley on hand to give out trophies and the Central YMCA summer scheme for 8-14 years olds proved as popular as ever with local students and parents alike.
Despite having a London postcode, Centymca Sports ground is set in almost a semi-rural environment and consequently gets its fair share of wildlife. Kestrels, Woodpeckers, Foxes and bats are known to frequent the area. Among the more unusual residents that have thrived in the last year is a large colony of Parrots. Originating from the mountains of India a group presumed escaped from captivity a few years ago have clearly enjoyed their freedom and number in the region of 50-60. Their distinctive squawking can be heard on any day of the year and their bright green plumage allows the most myopic of twitchers to identify them with ease.
In a survey of Centymca sports ground customers 100% of respondents gave the highest rating and thought that the football pitches were ‘very good’. The cricket wickets were rated as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ by 80% of respondents. Comments such as ‘consistently good’, ‘the best I have played on in a while’, ‘excellent’ and ‘some of the best prepared around’, show how valued the facility is by it’s users.
Whilst complimentary comments from satisfied customers are welcome, the staff are not preparing to sit on their laurels, ways are constantly being sought to improve the playing surfaces still further. As befits the dawning of a new millennium, the year 2,000 will also see the start of an improvement to the surroundings of Centymca sports ground. A long term planting programme to increase the numbers of trees and shrubs for the enjoyment of future generations of visitors, both human and animal.
Centymca Sports Ground, 2 Grove Park Road, Mottingham, London SE9 4QE
Telephone 020 8857 7484.
Grounds Manager: Paul Watts
