Seaham Marina gets £150,000 of funding to create sporting legacy

The 149,532 pot of cash from Sport England’s Community Sport Activation Fund will pay for a range of sporting sessions.

Complementing funding from the marina itself will allow Durham County Council, working with County Durham Sport and national governing bodies, to deliver both land and water-based activities.

A dedicated Water Sports Development Officer, as well as sessional coaches and instructors, will work with the marina to offer a range of sports and activities over the next three years.

It is intended that as well as canoeing, sailing and wet and dry rowing, the funding will also see cycling, running, triathlon and orienteering sessions offered, with the specific aim of getting 14 to 25-year-olds involved.

The council’s head of culture and sport, Steve Howell, said: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to get more people involved in sport and try out what we’re sure will be amazing new facilities at Seaham Marina. The sessions will be fun and easy to pick up so we hope that even people who’ve never thought of getting involved in water sports can come along and try them out.”

Coun Neil Foster said: “The addition of the water sports facility will not only help take the marina to the next level but with funding to get local people involved will provide a boost for the whole area.”

Earlier this year, Seaham Marina was awarded £1.744million from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund to pay for new watersport and berth facilities and improvements to the beach.