Foundation 92 in partnership with the Johan Cruyff Foundation, For Housing, Salford City Council and CommUNITY Little Hulton have launched the ‘Cruyff Court Class of ’92’, in Little Hulton, Salford. This new facility will enhance the delivery of Foundation 92’s football, sport, and physical activity sessions in the area and serve as a new communal space for the people of Little Hulton.
Members of the Class of ’92 unveiled the court alongside Jordi Cruyff, in a warm reunion of former Manchester United team-mates, with the first game on the Court seeing the Class of ’92 take on members of the community before Foundation 92’s Walking Football team took to the pitch. CommUNITY Little Hulton ran a family fun day to coincide with the launch of the court, creating a fun filled day for everyone.
Members of the community in Little Hulton also had the opportunity to play on the court with it now fully open to the public. Following the launch event, Foundation 92 took attendees to this Salford City FC match against Doncaster Rovers to continue the celebrations.
The state-of-the-art court is the first of its kind in Salford, and the first every Cruyff Community Court in Greater Manchester. The Cruyff Foundation funds (among others) Cruyff Courts, hi-tech, all weather & all-access sports hubs, across the world to provide young people & their communities with access to high-quality pitches and foster a love of sport and activity.
The opening of this facility is part of the Cruyff Foundation’s plans to expand the institutions presence in the United Kingdom by doubling the number of Cruyff Courts from 21 to 40 by the end of this year, with all of the projects funded by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. There are almost 300 Cruyff Courts across more than 20 countries throughout the world that offer young people a safe place in which to play and are designed to encourage participation in a range of sports, as well as providing a space where children can learn about respect, responsibility and integration.
The unique and free to access community sports court, will have solar powered floodlights, making it the first of its kind in the UK.
Nicky Butt, Co-Founder of Foundation 92, said: “I’m very proud to be here today with Ryan and Jordi to launch Cruyff Court Class of ’92 in Little Hulton alongside Foundation 92 and the Johan Cruyff Foundation. The Court will have a lasting impact on the community, and I’m delighted to see so many people here to celebrate this great occasion.”
Jordi Cruyff, son of Johan Cruyff and current Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, said: “Every time the Cruyff Foundation opens a Cruyff Court, I feel proud of my father’s legacy and this one is particularly special. When I joined Manchester United, the training ground was in Salford. It brings back some fond memories of a different period in my life. I was glad when I heard that this Cruyff Court would be in this area and would benefit from the great support of my former team-mates from Foundation 92. Sport is a magical tool that allows kids to socialise and enjoy the outdoors and that’s the Cruyff Foundation’s objective with this new facility.”
Niels Meijer, General Manager of the Cruyff Foundation: “We’re happy to be opening this first Cruyff Court in Salford together with Foundation 92. This project is the kick-off to what we hope is a long-term sustainable partnership. Cruyff Courts represent a fantastic asset for the local community and provide children and young people with a safe space to have fun together and grow through sports. This Cruyff Court will greatly benefit the community of Salford for the next decade at least.”
The Foundation will be able to use the court to enhance the delivery of its programmes in Little Hulton, ranging from Premier League Kicks to its free Club 92 multi-sports outreach sessions.
The new court is twinned with a Cruyff Court in Aberdeen in partnership with the Denis Law Legacy Trust. The partnership will involve participants at each Cruyff Court swapping places, to experience new places and different cultures.