East End ‘grassroots soccer’ survey kicks off in Docklands

A public consultation to set up a network of grassroots football in London’s East End has just been kicked off.

The survey is to see how local football can be developed in neighbourhoods around Poplar and Bow where there aren’t many open spaces to kick a ball around with so much Docklands redevelopment going on.

Local football clubs and community groups are being invited to take part by Poplar Harca Housing organisation, which looks after social housing estates in the area.

“We want to hear from everyone involved in grassroots football around Poplar,” Harca’s Wei Du says. “We want local clubs and groups to come to our training sessions and events to meet them face-to-face.” He can be reached on 07507-552307.

Aims of the survey are to get more people involved in neighbourhood footy—especially “under-represented groups” like women and the disabled—and feeding information into any future football development plan for Tower Hamlets which could unlock council or other funding.

The public consultation running until March 19 is also testing if there is a demand for a new football venue closer to Docklands—the nearest facilities are in Victoria Park, Mile End Park or the Olympic Park at Stratford.