NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHED
Dundee United Community Trust and Lochee Harp Football Club have teamed up to form an exciting new partnership for the benefit of the local community.
Based at the recently installed 3G pitch on Lundie Avenue, both organisations will work closely together to provide improved and increased opportunities for the local community to get involved in sport and other community activities. The venue has huge potential and using the skills of the DUCT staff team, the partnership aims to deliver a substantial programme of community activity while continuing to provide a modern home for Lochee Harp FC with ambitions to transform the facility into the best of its kind in the City.
David Dorward, Chair of Dundee United Community Trust, commented “Our partnership with Lochee Harp is one of the most exciting developments that Dundee United Community Trust has ever embarked upon. The Lundie Avenue site will allow DUCT to deliver a significant enhancement to our current level of programmes and our planned further development of the site, will I am certain greatly enhance the community facilities in this area of Dundee.”
‘The Harp’ have had their roots in the local community since the Club was formed in 1904 and have a rich history, winning many honours over the years and boasting capped internationals within the long line of former players to have represented the Club. The Club was instrumental in the creation of the 3G pitch on Lundie Avenue, selflessly agreeing to move from their home from nearby Beechwood Park to allow the delivery of a fantastic new facility with significant opportunities to support the local community; as well as the growth of the Club.
Mike Kelly, Chairman of Lochee Harp FC added “When the opportunity arose to work with Dundee United Community Trust we welcomed it warmly. Our exciting new partnership will not only help to deliver more local community activity programs, but within the next couple of years will see significant development of the ground turning it into one of the best facilities of its kind. We would like to thank Jamie Kirk and all at Dundee United Community Trust for their hard work in getting the partnership off the ground. Exciting times are ahead for all concerned.”
Lochee Sports and Community Hub, a small volunteer-led organisation, was established to operate and develop the venue and made significant progress since it was formed in 2017. With the support of the Lochee Community Regeneration Forum, LSCH was able to install temporary facilities including changing rooms, spectator toilets and a hospitality/education space. The impact of Covid-19 and the reliance on such a small but dedicated group of volunteers to run and develop the facilities took its toll, and LSCH started to investigate potential partnership approaches to deliver the intended community benefit on their behalf.
Dundee United Community Trust has a fantastic track record locally, nationally and on the continent for delivering significant community impact having been named the Best Professional Club in the Community by the Scottish FA in 2019, followed by 3rd place in the UEFA Grassroots Awards for the same category. DUCT has also been selected as the Best Football for All award, recognising the variety of projects delivered by the Charity. DUCT has experienced exponential growth – even during the Covid-19 pandemic – and has a skilled and experienced team supporting over 700 people across Dundee every week. The Charity set its most recent strategic plan in late 2019 and identified increasing capacity through facility investment as a key objective. Several new projects have already started using the facilities including Autism-friendly football sessions and free football for local young people on a Saturday night – also supported by the Lochee Community Regeneration Forum.
Jamie Kirk, Chief Executive for the Trust commented “This is a fantastic milestone for our Charity and one that sees us deliver against one of our main objectives within our 2020 – 2025 strategic plan. I've enjoyed working with Mike Kelly, Kevin Kelly and all at Lochee Harp over the past few months as we shaped what we think is a wonderful community-based partnership. The facility has fantastic potential and we look forward creating something truly special in the Lochee area to help us further improve the lives of the people we work with.”
As part of this ambitious new partnership, DUCT will take on the responsibility of the operation and development of the venue as well the implementation of an extensive community programme using the facilities currently in place. While DUCT has been delivering community projects across the City for almost 5 years, this exciting partnership will see the Charity create a new base – in addition to it’s base at Tannadice Park – in the Lochee area and it looks forward to building strong relationships with local residents to be the best neighbours we can be.
Further details of plans for the development of the existing facilities will be released in due course and anyone wishing to find out more about our partnership, the facilities available and the current and planned community projects can find more information at dundeeunitedct.co.uk/facilities.
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