June Kelly founded sports club Abraham Moss Warriors in 2000
A sports club that has become the “heart of the community” says it faces an uncertain future as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.
Abraham Moss Warriors has been providing sport and activities for families in north Manchester since its founding in 2000.
The club says its bills have increased by 20% over the last year, at the same time grant funding has dried up.
Founder June Kelly warned that if costs continued to increase, the venue “may have to close”.
The club supports hundreds of families in Cheetham and Crumpsall, areas where crime and deprivation rates are well above the national average.
Sumiya Patel, who has two children at the club, said: “This area has a history of violence and drug trafficking.
“This academy helps my children build their future in our community, instead of ruining their future and engaging in bad habits.
“Because of this club I have found my children in good and safe hands and are enjoying every moment of it.”
Sumiya Patel’s two children regularly use the facility
Ms Kelly said: “Basically we have become a community center so whatever the community asks and needs, we will deliver.
“But this time next year, if the cost of living continues to increase, I don’t think we will still be here. I think we may have to close.”
Ms Kelly explained that the last club grant funding had been completed 18 months ago.
He added: “Everything went up, but we understand our parents can’t afford it.
“We were working out the other day, we lost £98 for every two hour session we did.”
June Kelly has warned the venue will have to close if the bill continues to grow
Several new applications for funding are in progress, but there is no guarantee they will be successful.
The club explained that they had to make some tough choices.
Last winter about 450 young people came to the club several times a week.
Now that number has been cut by more than 200.
Once daily football practice sessions were now weekly, while the price of fuel meant running the team’s mini-bus became too expensive.
“I was really worried,” Kelly said.
“We have put our heart and soul into making this club. It is very disappointing to think that we have come this far but it is getting harder to keep the club.”
Abraham Moss Warriors is just one example of what’s happening across the country.
Sported, a network of nearly 3,000 community sports groups, estimates that tens of thousands of young people in the UK will be deprived of sport and physical activity as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, even if these activities are free.
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