Hamstreet & District Sports & Leisure Association ( H.D.S.L.A ) is a volunteer organisation formed in 1994 as a sub-committee of Orlestone Parish Council and a registered charity (296298 ) To promote the benefits and facilitate active engagement in sports and leisure activities for the inhabitants of Hamstreet District (Ashford, Kent) and local parishes to improve social welfare, social cohesion and engagement in the local community.
During the Early Years H.D.S.L.A generated much of its income through an annual Country show which became a 2 day weekend event and one of the largest of its kind in the local area. Run solely by volunteers , and support from many local businesses and that of Orlestone Parish Council with the primary aim to provide the area with an improved multi sports facility . The Sunday car show continued to raise funds to support local projects after the decision was made to end the 2 day event.
Funding was used to Drain and re-lay the area at Pound Lees , and also to provide a flood lit Multi use games area, which in recent years has been re-covered with a 3G surface, which is used for Football , Tennis , Netball and other sports.
In 2009 after many years of fundraising H.D.S.L.A found itself in a position to start the building of a New sports pavilion and with further local funding and that of sports England. But without local support and volunteers giving hundreds of hours of free time this would not have been possible Hamstreet Pavilion can now boast to be one of the best community led sporting facilities in the area it offers a now weather tight building with 4 changing room areas complete with showers , kitchen, and toilet facilities dry changing and provision for the disabled. It has An office / small meeting room and a fully licenced lounge area available for hire.
The facility supports Kent League Standard Football and the standards required by K.C.F.A It holds Children’s football training ,Local Tennis and Walking football .
This project has been about community involvement from its start date and always will be an ongoing community project.