Exmouth's Warren View sports ground could be turned into a 'hub' for the whole community, encouraging people to take part in sport and fitness for their physical and mental wellbeing.

The Tri-Hards community sports group has announced that it has been shortlisted to take over the lease of the ground, which is owned by East Devon District Council.

The group was set up in 2017 by Shelly Stammers, initially as a women-only sports and social organisation. Eight months later, many of the members' boyfriends and husbands came on board, including Shelly's husband Neal, and there are now 350 members.

Tri-Hards says it aims 'to transform lives through sport, fitness and friendship'. It welcomes people of all ages and abilities who want to get more active for reasons of health, weight loss or mental wellbeing, bringing them together in group events which boost their spirits and confidence. During the Covid-19 pandemic it has continued its activities where possible, within whatever Government guidelines have been in force at the time.

Shelly and Neal found out about the Warren View lease becoming available in November last year, just 48 hours before the application deadline.

But they submitted their bid in time, and it was supported by letters from many members describing the potential benefits to the group and the wider Exmouth community.

What will the community hub offer the people of Exmouth?

Shelly said: "Our aim is to bring Warren View sports ground back to the community via our group, so that members of our group and the wider community may benefit from it.

"Such activities will include training for our adult and junior members, family sport events, charity events, social events, workshops, together with open days involving the wider community who, through publicity and the wider benefits of having the grounds, may be inspired to join our group and contribute toward the ongoing upkeep of the assets.

"The plan, through activities and open days, will be to encourage those individuals previously put off by organised sports to see the wider benefit of joining our group, both socially and on through to participation in a safe environment.

"Our target demographic is from 12 years old with parent participation through to pensioners, whom we already encourage and are active participants within our organisation.

"We encourage all abilities and have already integrated people with mental disabilities and mental health issues, whereby they would not normally participate in more open group activities but would feel more confident within the safety of an area like Warren View."

She said being short-listed for the lease 'means absolutely everything to our members'.

"It makes the group a very real entity and takes it from a strictly online entity to a very viable asset to the community and something our members can take pride in - it gives us a home and allows us to open our doors through membership to the entire Exmouth community, who in turn benefit from health and wellbeing that this will bring."

Shelly added that putting the ground to use in this way will give Exmouth a much-needed boost at a time when many people are feeling isolated and miserable because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We believe that our plans to bring the grounds into the wider community spotlight will encourage membership, who in turn will help look after the area.

"Through active involvement of the wider community we can also grow our group and help more people live an active and healthier life, grow their friendships and turn Exmouth into a healthy and happy place to live.

"We would endeavour to place Exmouth on the sporting map and perhaps hold events for other activity and sports groups at the ground which promote Exmouth to the UK in general. We already have the new watersports centre, so having something for everyone else is a huge benefit to us all, we believe."

Tri-Hards expect to find out whether their bid has been successful at around Easter time this year. For more information about the group, visit their website.