A Torbay multi-sport facility is celebrating serving more than 1,000 young people from across the community within its first year of opening.
The Thinking Lettings venue, a non-profit sports and function venue hire service that reinvests profits back into Thinking Schools Academy Trust, was awarded £8,000 Football Multisport Grant from Active Devon in October 2024.
And since then, more than 1,000 children from Torbay have benefitted from the grant that has enabled the delivery of free multisport sessions, including dedicated girls-only football sessions for children aged 4 to 11 at Paignton Academy.
From September 2024 to June 2025, the programme recorded 1,026 total session attendances, with attendance averaging at 84.4% of full capacity.
The data highlights the significant impact of the programme in meeting the need for inclusive, accessible sports opportunities for children across Torbay.
The sessions, led by qualified coaches from Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, have provided young people with the opportunity to stay active, develop teamwork and confidence, and build friendships in a welcoming environment.
As part of the grant, Thinking Lettings was also able to invest in new sports equipment, improving the quality of the experience for all participants and removing financial barriers to participation.
One parent recently shared:
“Joel has been attending since the programme started. This has made a massive impact on his confidence, and he has even made new friends from the programme. Without the programme being free, he wouldn't be able to attend. Thank you to Thinking Lettings and Plymouth Argyle.”
Cody Levell, Fitness and Lettings Manager at Paignton Academy, commented at the start of the project:
“This grant is an amazing chance to offer even more activities for local children. We are all about promoting fitness, teamwork, and personal growth through sport, and it is especially exciting to give young girls a space to really shine in football.”
Cody’s dedication to the programme was recently recognised at the Devon FA Grassroots Football Awards, where she received the Positive Behaviour award. The recognition highlights her ongoing efforts to create welcoming, supportive environments for all young players. Reflecting on the recognition, Cody said:
“These free football and multisport sessions are about opening up opportunities for young people who might not otherwise have access to sport. It has been incredibly rewarding to see the difference it has made in the community, and I am proud that this work has been recognised.”
Stew Walbridge, Head of Participation at Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, added:
“It is so important that all children, regardless of their background or experience, have the chance to participate in sports. These sessions give young people the opportunity to stay active, develop essential life skills such as teamwork and perseverance, and, most importantly, have fun in a safe and welcoming environment.”