The winner of the SAPCA Award 2026 for Small Project of the Year was Blakedown Sport & Play for the refurbishment project of the iconic Brighton Beach Basketball Court.
Blakedown Sport & Play was appointed by Brighton & Hove City Council, in partnership with the Hoopsfix Foundation, to refurbish the the outdoor court — one of the most recognisable basketball spaces in the UK.
Phase 1 of the £60,000 project delivered all core construction works, including:
• expansion of the court footprint by 4m in length and 2m in width
• removal of the existing surface
• installation of a new high-performance sports surface designed for harsh coastal conditions (UV, salt exposure and wind)
• full FIBA-compliant setting out
• addition of new competition-standard acrylic backboards, flex rims, posts and safety padding
Phase 2, completed in May 2025, delivered the specialist colour coating and bespoke artwork by local artist Sam Sure. The court officially reopened at a major community launch on 31 May 2025 in partnership with Hoopsfix Foundation.
Partnership delivery
The project demonstrates how a relatively small-scale refurbishment can deliver exceptional technical quality, strong partnership working, cultural importance and national impact.
From a technical perspective, the court was comprehensively rebuilt to full FIBA dimensions, with the footprint significantly expanded to improve playability, circulation and user safety. The original surface was removed and replaced with a new high-performance sports surface engineered for harsh coastal conditions, offering improved UV resistance, salt tolerance, drainage and slip resistance. New competition-standard 72” acrylic backboards, flex rims, posts and safety padding were installed, creating a fully regulation-ready and safer facility suitable for both community use and high-level play.
The project was delivered in close partnership with the Hoopsfix Foundation, whose involvement ensured the facility meets the needs of grassroots basketball development, youth programmes and street-court users as well as casual play.
What truly sets this project apart is its cultural and community significance. Brighton Beach Court is an iconic site, so it was not simply a technical upgrade — it was the careful restoration of a landmark within British basketball culture.
The scheme was shaped by extensive community consultation involving more than 500 respondents, ensuring the design responded directly to user demand for a larger court, compliant dimensions and improved equipment. The finishing artwork by local artist Sam Sure adds strong place identity and visual impact while reinforcing community ownership.
The court’s reopening in May 2025 attracted significant local, national and international media coverage, reinforcing its status as a nationally recognised sporting landmark. This combination of technical quality, partnership delivery, community-led design and national profile makes this refurbishment a standout Small Project of the Year.
Social value impact
The refurbishment of Brighton Beach Basketball Court has delivered strong social value by revitalising a free, highly accessible public sports facility in a prominent coastal location, ensuring long-term benefit for both residents and visitors.
The upgraded court now provides a safe, regulation-compliant and inclusive space for everyday recreational play, youth activity, community programmes and informal events. By expanding the court size and installing high-quality surfacing and equipment, the project has significantly improved the playing experience and increased the site’s capacity for structured and informal use. Since reopening, the court has seen sustained daily use and strong attendance at community launch and open-access sessions delivered with partners including Hoopsfix.
