'It's where I played as a kid': Portsmouth Force head coach transforms Alexandra Park basketball court
A 3x3 basketball tournament will take place on August 8 to celebrate the reopening of the court
The head coach of Portsmouth Force, the city’s basketball team, has helped to renovate the court in Alexandra Park where he learned to play the sport as a child.
Craig Hughes noticed that the court “was looking a little bit worn” and was a hotspot for antisocial behaviour.
His organisation, Chain Net Apparel, has collaborated with Portsmouth City Council to give the court a new lease of life.
“We have put a new surface in and a new cage,” he said. “We also have had a new mural done by local artists, who have given their time for free, so we’ve got five new panels of art.
Volunteers have helped with the work too, and Mr Hughes insisted: “We could not have done it without them.”
The project has been ongoing for a number of years, but Mr Hughes has already noticed a big change.
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“We have pushed away the antisocial behaviour because people are actually using the court for what it’s for now,” he said.
To celebrate the end of the project, a 3x3 basketball tournament will take place at the court on August 8 from 2.45pm, and is open to male and female players of all age ranges.
Mr Hughes and Chain Net Apparel previously worked on the Orchard Park Project, renovating a rundown basketball court in Southsea.