Injuries due to limited pitch access, says team

A football team says its players are being injured as it is being forced to play on uneven ground in a park.

Basingstoke Cavaliers play a non-contact, five-a-side version of American football, known as flag football.

The team says its growth is being impacted by the lack of access an official pitch in the area.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said it has been working with the American flag football club over a number of weeks to try to book facilities.

Club founder Andy Oram said they currently play on the War Memorial Park in Basingstoke, but not on an official pitch.

"It's not maintained, the grass is too long and of course the rabbits, the moles and other animals are digging holes," he said.

Mr Oram added that one of his team members "sprained his ankle" after he accidentally put his foot in a hole in the uneven ground.

He admitted the council has offered them the chance to book local pitches, which are predominantly used for football and rugby, but it only offered them specific time slots which Mr Oram said were not suitable for his team.

The council also requires teams to book the whole pitch, however Mr Oram said because his team only plays five-a-side they only require half the ground.

The council said it has also offered the team the chance to book artificial pitches in the area but Mr Oram said the cost of these pitches "is extraordinary" and "way to high for a new club".

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said: "Our grass pitches can be booked for a range of sports between September and April. The artificial pitches are also available for hire all year round.

"We have tried to be as flexible as possible, but we can only book a whole pitch and this needs to be in advance.

"At weekends there are separate booking times for adult and youth teams to ensure our safeguarding responsibilities are met."

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