sport

Council Upgrades Hackney Sports Courts and Halls for Local Youth

Council investments in courts, pavilions and halls are expanding access for local youth and community groups across the borough.

By Hackney Sport Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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Hackney Council has secured £105,000 from the London Marathon Foundation to refurbish the basketball courts, MUGA and outdoor gym at Hackney Downs, with works starting in summer 2025 and completion expected by late summer or early autumn 2025.

Why These Changes Matter Now

The upgrades arrive alongside other borough projects that link major facilities to everyday participation. Multiple free-to-access multi-use games areas support high school-aged sports such as netball, basketball, football and tennis without booking. Young Hackney’s School and Youth Sports Unit runs weekly primary school competitions and sport leadership qualifications while coordinating the Daily Mile across youth organisations.

Named Venues and Programmes in Use

The new North Marshes Pavilion at Hackney Marshes was officially unveiled in September 2024 as part of a multi-million pound regeneration project funded by a £1.9m grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund. Work is underway to transform the sports hall at New City College’s Hackney Campus into London’s first dedicated elite-level basketball facility for the London Lions Women’s team through a £250,000 refurbishment funded by the college. Hackney’s West Reservoir Centre is scheduled for a £1.5million revamp to improve accessibility, including new cycle parking, a café and a pontoon pool tank for safer open water swimming. The state-of-the-art Britannia Leisure Centre opened in June 2024 and recorded over 10,000 visitors in its first week.

Evidence from Participation Records

Hackney opened the UK’s first dedicated Compact Athletics Facility at Stoke Newington School in 2023, featuring a sprint track, long/high jump areas and throwing zones for school and community use. Over 700 young people in Hackney trained to represent the borough in the London Youth Games, winning 9 team medals and 52 individual medals across sports including athletics, BMX and cycling. Urswick School hosts regular volleyball and basketball sessions for ages 11-17 and 5-12 during the school term, with no booking required and £3 per session.

Residents can find current session details and booking information through Young Hackney channels and the Hackney Council sports pitches pages.