The sign of a successful playing field is worn pitches, but there’s a balance between pitch quality and intensity of use
As the best form of playing fields protection is full use, it is important that operators are able to offer facilities that are accessible, affordable and attractive
MANAGING Programming for maximum use should be a priority for any provider. A conces- sionary pricing policy should also help to achieve a representative user profile and ensure that the site attracts a cross sec- tion of local people. Adopting sports development prin-
ciples to underpin the programme of use will greatly assist in the creation of effec- tive school club links. Being sensitive to the individual needs of clubs and in par- ticular the seasonal nature of sport will help to prevent the dominance of the facility by one sport or organisation. Partnerships with voluntary, statutory
and commercial organisations are es- sential and can be beneficial in so many ways from staff recruitment, sharing expertise and administration to funding and sponsorship opportunities.
MARKETING An understanding of what makes the organisation stand out from the compe- tition and developing the brand is crucial. The LPFF strap line is “Protecting playing fields, improving lives” and it is through our innovative inclusion programmes for disadvantaged and inactive groups that we most graphically demonstrate this. It is worth remembering that while the
Issue 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011
programme is ostensibly about widening, increasing and sustaining participation in sporting activity, the primary outcomes might be health or crime diversion rather than sport, which in turn opens up new funding opportunities.
MAINTAINING One of the signs of a successful playing field is worn pitches. However, while the focus is on maximum use there has to be a balance, especially on natural turf pitches, between pitch quality and inten- sity of use, at the same time recognising that some groups cause more wear and tear than others. Good drainage com- bined with experienced, well trained and highly motivated on site ground staff working with a stock of appropriate and regularly serviced equipment is the holy trinity of grounds maintenance. What the customer wants most is a good sur- face on which to play on a regular basis so their views must be considered by the ground staff who should seek to culti- vate a good understanding with all of the pitch users.
New funding streams Within Sport England’s £135m Places Peo- ple Play programme is a new Protecting Playing Fields Fund that will provide £10m
over four years in grants to bring disused playing fields back into use, safeguard sites for a minimum of 25 years, improve pitches and create new playing field land. Providing grants of between £20,000 and £50,000, any applicant who wants to ded- icate its playing field in perpetuity will be passed on to Fields in Trust. Most of us will at some point have
benefitted from our local playing field, so we should cherish them and see them as more than just expanses of open space and as places where lives can be im- proved. This weekend, when you are at your local supermarket stocking up for your barbeque, pause and think, 20 years ago you might have been standing on a sports pitch centre circle. Once lost, a playing field is lost forever. l
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