Caroline is calling for the Mayor to go further in defending grassroots football clubs, such as Dulwich Hamlet FC.
Responding to the consultation on the Mayor’s draft Sport Strategy, Caroline highlights how grassroots clubs are often at the centre of local communities, yet often have to fight to retain their grounds against the threat of speculative developers. In recent years Edgware Town, Hendon and Enfield Town football clubs have all lost their historical homes.
Caroline's letter to the Mayor calls for strengthened protections for local grounds:
What your strategy lacks is a concrete commitment to strengthen protections for local grounds, in recognition of their role as vital community assets. You should lobby the Government to afford greater protection to league and non-league football grounds and encourage local councils to protect stadiums. Indeed, the delivery of Sports Unite will only work if grassroots community organisations have the facilities to host sporting activity.