'Iconic' seafront basketball court reopens

A revamped basketball court on Brighton seafront has reopened following a refurbishment.

The resurfaced court has been made bigger and has new hoops, thanks to support from Brighton and Hove City Council, Foot Locker and the Hoopsfix Foundation, a charity that promotes UK basketball.

To celebrate the reopening, an event was held on Saturday, which included free coaching for children, exhibition games and a slam dunk display.

Sam Neter, from Hoopsfix, said: "This is one of the most iconic courts in the country and to be able to have played a role in the refurb is a true honour."

The revamp followed a public consultation, which saw 98% of the 500 people who responded asking for new hoops and backboards and 86% wanting to see a bigger court.

As part of an ongoing collaboration with Hoopsfix, the court will also host regular competitions.

Alan Robins, the council's lead for sports, recreation and libraries, said: "Basketball is now the second most popular team sport among children and young people in England, with more than 1.2 million people aged five to 16 playing the sport every week.

"The demand for better facilities is huge and we know locally just how popular the sport, and this court, has become."

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