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SAPCA comment


Onwards and upwards


The County Playing Fields Associations, among the UK’s oldest public sports organisations, are preparing to set out for the next stage of their journey.


THE history of the County Playing Fields Associations (CPFA) has its origins in the efforts to restore and safeguard physical facilities in communities following the two World Wars. The first individual CPFAs were set up in the 1920s to protect people's right to access local outdoor community sport and recreation facilities. To support the work of the CPFAs, a national


committee was also established. Acting as a membership network for the CPFAs, the committee’s activities through the years have ranged from lobbying government and influencing policy to funding facility projects and spreading best practice. After thriving for decades – at its peak there


was a playing field association for almost every large English county – the national committee and the CPFAs have, in recent years, faced some stiff challenges. The changing priorities in sport, combined with government cuts in recreation budgets, have led to the weakening, or even demise, of many of the local county associations. As a result, CPFA activities have been affected too. At the latest annual meeting of the committee in June 2017, there were less than 20 delegates representing the local CPFAs. The national committee is tackling the


challenges head on, led by current chairman Dale Mortimer. According to Gerry Ceaser,


chairman of Surrey PFA, the CPFA network is as relevant as it was when it was first launched – but will have to adapt to the central government’s new focus on getting people physically active. “The CPFAs are uniquely placed to make an


effective contribution to getting people active through physical activity, play and sport,” he says. “The context of the work is changing with the


emphasis veering toward ‘activity’ rather than sport in general. We must adapt to be ready to meet the new circumstances or we will slowly decline further and eventually disappear as a meaningful organisation.” Ron Harrison, chairman of Gloucestershire


PFA, adds that the national committee has devised a plan for re-invention – which will include a new name and a new status for the network. As part of a new three-year strategy, a Playing Fields Network (PFN) will be established and the new body will be set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). “The CIO status will give us the ability to raise


funds – some of which can be gift aided,” Harrison says. “This will allow us to support not only the work of the new body, but also the ailing County Playing Field Associations – as we really don’t want to lose any more of them.”


Set to be launched in January 2018, the PFN


will continue as the network for the CPFAs, but is also looking to widen its membership. As part of a push to involve stakeholders from the wider sports and physical activity sector, it has secured the support of the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA). “As part of our own work to raise standards


and improve grassroot sport, we’re delighted to be assisting with the launch of PFN,” says SAPCA CEO Chris Trickey. “We are committed to building an active nation and recognise the important role played by publicly-owned playing fields and playgrounds. “We will also collaborate and work together


on developing advice and guidance on the development and maintenance of sports and play facilities. The aim is to provide help and support to those who look after and manage private and publicly owned playing fields.” Mortimer adds that the PFNs aims for the


first year are clear. “We have to raise our profile. We need to ensure the PFN becomes a source of help and advice to local and national organisations on all issues affecting the provision of outdoor sports and recreation facilities.”


www.sapca.org.uk


SAPCA is the recognised trade association for the sports and play construction industry in the UK. Its role is to foster excellence, professionalism and continuous improvement throughout the industry, in order to provide the high quality facilities needed at all levels of sport, physical activity, recreation and play. For details on the above stories and more visit www.sapca.org.uk


42 pactfacilities.co.uk


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