A survey of local residents and users was conducted in December 06/January 07 to obtain views on the Sports Club and its future. In total 157 responses(39%) were received from 400 surveyforms circulated comprising village households and club members living outside Snitterfield. 18 of the responses(13%) came from club members living outside Snitterfield.
Of the 157 responses received, 94 were from club members or from Snitterfield households containing a member or members of the family that were regular users of the Sports Club(60% ofrespondents. 63(40%) were from households with no affiliation to the club.

82 respondents felt the existing sporting and recreation facilities in Snitterfield were adequate(52%) : 24 felt they were generous(15%) : 51 felt they were poor(33%)

The good features of the sports club were expressed as:-
(In priority order- no. of mentions)
Social facilities/events 46
Quality of tennis facilities 30
Range of sports offered 15
Community spirit/social mix/voluntary effort 16
Quality of organisation/voluntary management 13
Wide age range catered for 13
Quality of bowls facilities 12
Other:-
Junior coaching in football, cricket and tennis 9
Health benefits 3

Aspects that could be improved
(In priority order- no. of mentions)
Upgrading/refurbishment of clubhouse 30
Changing facilities/toilets 29
Drainage of pitches/non turf playing provision 17
Junior/childrens provision/school holiday progs/school links 11
No smoking policy 8
Other -Car parking ;Road speed controls

Participation outside Snitterfield
Members of 51 households and existing members (33% of those responding)stated that they travelled to towns and other villages for sporting/recreation activities. The most popular of these were:-

Swimming and fitness gyms/aerobics at Stratford and neighbouring health clubs

The other activities in which Snitterfield residents participated outside the village were:
football
cricket
indoor bowls
rugby
hockey
badminton
squash
golf
and most other recognised sports

The main destinations/distances for these activities were:
Stratford
Warwick
And most surrounding larger villages

However several respondents emphasised the importance of local provision close to people's homes to release high levels of participation.

Potential demand
Those surveyed were asked what activities/facilities they would
like to see provided in Snitterfield. The responses(no of mentions) comprised:-

Facilities
floodlit multi sports area 31
fitness gym/exercise/aerobics area 29
additional tennis courts 13
sports hall 13
other:-
committee room/lecture room

Activities
basketball 24
netball 22
badminton 18
hockey 15
indoor 5 a side football 9
table tennis 5
other:-
skateboarding
rounders
volleyball
squash
dance/exercise
bridge
petanque
archery
youth club

Additional Voluntary Help
Although the current club management committee is praised for its energy and enterprise, if major change is to take place and all the needs expressed to be satisfied, more human resources may be required. The survey asked whether respondents would be prepared to help and become involved with either the improvement project or running the Club
21 people, not currently involved with the running of the Sports Club, from the 157 responses(13%), said they would be prepared to help make the development and operation of improved facilities a success. This is regarded as significant and indicative of the strength of community spirit in Snitterfield, boding well for the future. It also gives the existing Sports Club management committee, and those funding bodies that back the proposals, confidence in their management. The offers of help were given in confidence and the committee will be discretely following up.

What they say about Snitterfield Sports Club
(A sample of comments made as part of the opinion survey)

'I think the team of volunteers who work at the sports Club do an excellent job and the facilities have improved quite a lot over a relatively short space of time. Obviously this momentum needs to be maintained and to include financial support if this can be obtained'

'Thank you for working so hard for the Club'

'As we are in our eighties, many of the questions are not relevant. As an ex footballer, Chelsea and Corinthian Casuals, athlete and golfer I am interested in sport and pleased to see the progress made in our village for young people'

'Sorry to sound negative but we don't use the sports club but do think it is good facility for families in Snitterfield. Kind regards'

'I do wish you well in your venture'

'I'm a bit too old now-96- but I am a social member and support any improvements'

'It would be good to have a youth club type facility making use of the village hall but linking to the sports club, perhaps for table tennis, badminton. etc(no alcohol involved)'

'Any improvement in sport and recreational facilities will benefit young and old in and around the village and encourage community spirit'

'Provision of a range of sports activities within the village will greatly assist the local community and achieving/maintaining fitness levels and reducing obesity. When offered locally it is much easier to encourage children to participate and help those working full time to take part more frequently.'

'It makes sense to build on an already successful sports club as it has already proved it's sustainable, and well used/supported. Snitterfield is well located to attract users from neighbouring villages'

'I feel the facilities could be improved in a way that benefits as many people as possible, in the most cost effective way and with least impact on the environment. A large multi purpose area would be a good solution together with enlargement/refurbishment of the clubhouse.'

'Would use social facilities if and when 'no smoking' is applied. Fully support improvement project and planning for the future in most cost-effective way.'

'The formation of the sports club has been a big improvement for the village and has brought many people together.'