NEWS The power of the pitch
Football Foundation Interim Chief Executive, Robert Sullivan, shares his thoughts on the publication of the first ever nationwide local football facilities plans
Grounds Training open courses programme announced
Grounds Training has announced the first dates and venues for its 2021 open course programme.
Held regionally according to demand, open courses provide individuals with access to independently accredited turf industry training and qualifications.
Attendees include newly appointed members of staff, volunteers at community clubs, keen amateurs with an interest in turf maintenance, and contractors looking to expand their range of services.
English football has announced a collective plan for its investment into grassroots facilities. After two years of hard work, every Local Authority has an agreed list of specific pitches and clubhouses to build or improve in their area. These Local Football Facility Plans are the roadmap to a transformation in how every player enjoys our national game.
In developing the plans, the Football Foundation spoke to over 2,000 local clubs, more than 300 local authorities and a range of other stakeholders to identify an excellent pipeline of projects. Each plan is a short, well- defined document that captures current football facilities and identifies investment priorities where the needs are greatest.
Across the country, over 5,000 individual projects have been identified, from improving grass-pitches, new artificial pitches, redeveloping clubhouses and building new small sided multi-use games areas.
“The challenge is significant,” says Football Foundation Interim CEO Robert Sullivan, “and, of course, we need great playing facilities now more than ever.”
“Covid-19 is the biggest public health challenge we have faced in generations,” he continues, “but, at the Football Foundation, we believe passionately in the power of playing football to transform lives by improving physical and mental health, empowering young people and strengthening communities. Delivering these plans across England will be a vital cog in how we bounce back as a fit and healthy nation. But having the plan, the roadmap, is only the beginning.”
“Our next challenge is to work together - as a team at the local and national level - to secure the necessary funding and deliver these projects.”
“This will not be easy. We understand the huge pressure local authorities are under right now. They are making difficult financial decisions about how to meet the short term needs created by Covid-19, whilst still delivering against longer term strategies. We believe investing in local community football facilities can help by delivering valuable health, social and economic outcomes; and we will work hard to make that case.”
4 PC December/January 2021
“The encouraging news is that, increasingly, local authorities are looking to integrate physical activity into more proactive public health policies. Local health and wellbeing strategies across England consistently highlight physical inactivity as a major challenge. Investing in local football facilities and increasing participation is an effective way to tackle this.”
“We see it every day. Victoria French, Assistant Director for Culture and Events at Sunderland City Council, explained that the Council had seen huge increases in football participation at their new hub sites in the city. Moreover, the combination of football facilities with a rugby pitch, gym and community and education facilities has brought people together from across the local community.”
“But it’s not just the personal health and community benefits. We know that investing in great facilities has a real hard economic benefit too. Research by CEBR shows that for every £1million of capital we invest in community facilities, £5.5 million of output is supported in the wider economy.”
“At the national level, through the Football Foundation, the Premier League, The FA and Government have committed funds to deliver our ambitious plans and we are ready to work with local authorities and local communities, as a team, to make them a reality.”
Mr Sullivan conclude: “By working as a team we will unleash the power of the pitch.”
Dave leaves school
Head groundsman Dave Bradshaw is retiring from his role after 41 years’ service to Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School.
Having joined the school on 5 March 1979, Dave has worked diligently for four decades to maintain the school estate and prepare the playing fields and other sports facilities for use by our children and visiting teams.
His final day at work was marked with a socially-distanced celebration with his friends and colleagues, who presented him with a number of gifts to mark his departure.
Pesticides - Lantra Level 2 Award in the Safe Use and Safe Application of Pesticides using Hand-Held Equipment
11th - 13th January - Allscott, Telford
3rd - 5th March - Allscott, Telford
15th- 17th March - Ferndown, Dorset (around water also available on request) Basic Tree Survey & Inspection 10th February - Ferndown, Dorset Initial Sports Line Marking
11th February - Rhydyfelin, Mid Glamorgan 18th March - Melksham, Wiltshire 22nd March - Ferndown, Dorset Date TBC - East Midlands Winter Sports Pitch Maintenance 24th February - Rhydyfelin, Mid Glamorgan Date TBC - East Midlands Lawn Care
23rd March - Ferndown, Dorset TBC - East Midlands
Further dates and venues will be published at
www.groundstraining.com soon.
For further information or to book, visit the website or call 01865 509 510. If you are interested in a course not listed, email your name, contact number, location and the course details to
info@groundstraining.com.
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