A new indoor 3G football facility is set to open its doors in Ramsgate on Monday (July 20).
Kix Arena has been created by Ramsgate dads Danny Stokes, Henry Piper and Ryan Moore and Whitstable dad Luke Rothwell with Danny’s wife Natalie stepping into the role of arena manager.
The site, based at Unit 2, Whitehall Road Industrial Estate, boasts a main pitch for 5-a-side games or split for two 3-a-side matches, a coaching lane, football mannequins, kickback boards, tennis football and more.
Danny, Henry and Ryan all have footballing backgrounds and coach youngsters in the game.
The aim is to bring a dedicated indoor football arena to benefit the wider community.
Natalie said: “Danny has played football his whole life. He played as a kid, has coached and managed teams.”
The couple’s two sons are also keen players with eldest, Robson, aged 10, starting in mini kicks when he was four.
Danny coaches teams out of Ramsgate FC, including Ramsgate Stars under 11s and Reds under 8s.
Dad-of-two Henry also coaches out of Ramsgate FC, guiding the girls team which includes daughter Esme.
Ryan, a dad of five, is the PE teacher at Newington Primary and dad-of-three Luke works in the care home sector.
The team say the vision behind Kix Arena is to create more than just a place to play football. They want to provide, a welcoming space where local clubs, schools, families and individuals can come together, enjoy the game and develop their skills all year round, whatever the weather.
Natalie, who is a primary teacher, said: “We’re passionate about supporting grassroots sport, making football accessible to players of all ages and abilities, and creating opportunities for the local community to get involved.
“We see an awful lot of moans on social media about kids causing trouble so we want to work with other youth programmes in the community and give the kids somewhere to go where they can kick a ball around in a safe space.
“We want to make as many connections and build as many relationships as we can.”
The team were handed the keys to the warehouse site in April and, once they were able to physically work on site, set to work building, painting, laying turf and getting the equipment in.
Natalie said: “They worked really hard. My husband is a plumber so he went to work and then would go back out in the evening to get it all ready.
“Danny and Henry did the hard labour, Ryan did the painting and friends, relatives and football parents all pitched in to get it ready.”
Kix Arena has a soft launch on Sunday for invited community groups and teams and then will be open to the public from Monday morning.
The facility opens at 9am until early evening.
Natalie said: “The aim is to support the next generation of players and create a welcoming facility where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy sport, build confidence and feel part of a community.”
Looking ahead, the team is hoping to introduce further developments, including interactive football experiences, which will provide new ways for players to train, develop skills and enjoy the game.
The facility can also be hired by families and clubs and will be available for party bookings.
To find out more, and book, go to: https://kixarena.co.uk/
