Local Football Facility Plan North Warwickshire

North Warwickshire is in the West Midlands region.

The current population of the Authority (as per North Warwickshire Leisure Facilities Strategy 2018) is 62,800. This is expected to rise to 83,700 by 2031.

34.3% of the North Warwickshire population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups) which is slightly higher than the national average of 30.6%.

North Warwickshire’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (97.9%) which is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of North Warwickshire’s population represented by the BAME community is 2.1%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

Local Authority

North Warwickshire Borough Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan commits it to increase the number of adults and children who are physically active and reduce the percentage of adults and children with excess weight.

North Warwickshire Playing Pitch Strategy was approved in principle by North Warwickshire Borough Council in 2018. This document will provide a full evidence base and pitch quality ratings.

County Football Association

North Warwickshire is covered by Birmingham County FA which provides governance and development support to all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. The County FA has a designated facilities investment lead officer who works to ensure the right facilities are located in the right locations.

Football Foundation

The Regional Engagement Manager and Regional Technical Project Manager at the Football Foundation work collaboratively with the County FA to provide pre-application support to priority projects for potential investment.

Sport England

Has a network of planning managers who have a statutory role in the planning system to protect playing fields and provide consultation responses to planning applications relating to sporting facilities . They also play a key role in strategic planning for sports facilities, providing advice and support to local authorities to assess need for facilities in their local area.

Professional Club Community Organisations (CCOs)

There is no active CCO in North Warwickshire.

Local leisure operator

There are four main leisure centres in North Warwickshire: Atherstone, Arley, Coleshill and Polesworth sports centres. These four facilities are managed by the Local Authority.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in North Warwickshire. Nine individuals (representing six local organisations) were consulted. These include:

• North Warwickshire Borough Council
• Birmingham County FA
• Austrey Parish Council
• Arley Parish Council
• Tamworth Junior Sunday League
• Central Warwickshire Youth League

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees).

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. North Warwickshire has a total of 118 teams, which is lower than local areas of a similar size.

The FA is investing to support clubs both on and off the pitch which includes an aim to have a qualified FA coach with every youth team by 2020/21. In addition, it will support 1,000 clubs to create full player pathways from youth to adult teams and develop 150 community football hubs with male and female pathways, disability and recreational playing opportunities.

Over the last 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In North Warwickshire, four clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

• Atherstone Rangers - 16 teams
• Hurley Kings - 16 teams
• Top Score - 12 teams
• Stonydelph Junior - 10 teams

Four leagues operate in North Warwickshire. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls and adults. While there are no specific league opportunities for disability within North Warwickshire, there is however suitable provision provided in neighbouring authorities.

North Warwickshire largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

• Tamworth Junior Saturday – 192 teams – home and away
• Tamworth Junior Sunday – 19 teams – home and away
• Central Warwickshire Youth League – 822 teams – home and away

The County FA reports that there is low level cross boundary migration in North Warwickshire due to teams migrating outwards to the Coventry and Warwickshire Youth Football League, Nuneaton & Bedworth Minor League and Nuneaton and District Sunday League.

Disability football

There are 9.4 million people in England with a long-standing limiting disability, illness or condition which equates to 18% of the population – almost one in five. Football playing opportunities should be flexible, inclusive and accessible for everyone, whatever their level of ability. This could entail inclusion in mainstream activity or teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability.

In North Warwickshire there is one football team / session specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to grow this provision. For talented players the FA run Regional Centres and England national squads.

Women and girls

The FA has big ambitions for the female game and aims to double levels of participation by 2020. To achieve this requires a combined effort across four pathways: education, recreation, competition and talent.

Education environments have a huge impact on the first experience of football for young girls. This pathway can offer many opportunities for females of all ages to develop and grow a lifelong interest in football.

FA Wildcats girls football centres provide the first step on the recreational pathway, the programme provides girls aged 5-11 with regular opportunities to play football in a fun and engaging environment. North Warwickshire has no FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At seven, North Warwickshire’s number of female teams is lower than local areas of a similar size. The County FA’s priority is to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls league is the Central Warwickshire Girls and Woman’s League and matches are played on a home and away basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Birmingham County Woman’s League and matches are played on a home and away basis and the league is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Aston Villa or Birmingham City ladies which is located in Birmingham or Redditch. Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. The most local Women’s Super League team is Birmingham City Ladies which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small-sided football

Many different types of small-sided football are played in England, from teams and leagues to recreational and informal. It is an established and important part of the modern game.

Small-sided teams & leagues are organised and competitive activities; typically with players registered to clubs and affiliated to leagues and their County FAs. Examples include Futsal and local small-sided leagues running at venues such as sports halls, 3G FTPs or small-sided 3G centres.

Key local providers include:

• Coleshill Leisure Centre

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it’s played on an indoor surface with hockey-sized goals and a size 4 football with reduced ball bounce. It is the FA’s aim to ensure Futsal is available across the country.

There are currently no Futsal teams in North Warwickshire. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for all players.

Recreational football

Recreational football is played where facilities are typically booked and there might be someone to help organise. Examples include FA Just Play sessions, walking football and casual pitch hire for small-sided match play.

There is currently one FA Just Play Centre in North Warwickshire. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Coleshill Strollers. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development.

Informal football

Informal football is played in local parks and green spaces – it is free, open access and often played spontaneously (normal clothing is worn). Common examples include a kick-about at a local park or on a multi-use games area (MUGA).

Currently, informal football in North Warwickshire is played particularly in the north and east of the Borough. Grendon Road, Polesworth Recreation Ground and Mancetter Recreation Ground are key site locations that are heavily used.

The key strengths of local football in North Warwickshire include youth and mini provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include Girls and woman's, futsal and recreational football.

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for North Warwickshire are:

1. Girls and woman’s (sustain and grow)
2. Futsal (grow)
3. Recreational (grow)
4. Disability (grow)
5. Wildcats Centres (grow)

The facilities required to assist this are now set out in the Assets and Opportunities section.

Additionally, each priority project that progresses to a funding application via the Football Foundation will produce a detailed ‘site development plan’ specifying all football development activity, usage and key partner engagement.

This section reviews existing football facility assets in North Warwickshire. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment.

Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed inline with four investment priorities:

1. 3G FTPs
2. Improved grass pitches
3. Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
4. Small-sided Facilities

To ensure a consistent and high quality approach, each local area has been reviewed applying a standard approach, supplemented by input from consultation with local partners and stakeholder organisations.

While each investment priority is reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

3G FTPs are a high quality and indispensable part of modern football facilities; their impact cannot be underestimated. In recent years the industry has seen major innovations and improvements to artificial surfaces (and sports lighting). This has created playing surfaces that replicate a good standard natural turf pitch whilst significantly increasing levels of use (x20). All FTPs must have sports lighting to achieve this.

The high quality, consistent playing surface is the ideal environment to play the game and for young people to learn. With regular maintenance programmes, FTPs can be heavily used all year round with no decline in quality. They almost completely negate annoying fixture cancellations during winter months, helping football to be a key part of a regular physical activity habit.

High capacity levels offer a great opportunity to embrace all formats and engage all participants. A full-sized 3G caters for an average of 1,200 participants per week and is suitable for various location types. That means being fully inclusive to all sections of the community, with a particular focus on under-represented groups such as women and girls, people with a disability, BAME communities and people from lower socio-economic groups.

The way 3G FTPs are used is rapidly changing; current line-marking systems allow for match play across all formats of football (5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11). This enables significant levels of match-play to be transferred from grass to 3G.

FA data states that there are currently three 3G FTPs in North Warwickshire; this is a shortfall of two pitches relative to assessed demand.

Existing 3G FTPs in North Warwickshire include:

• Bodymoor Heath (Aston Villa Training Ground - two 3G FTPs at this site)
• Pack Meadow

Additionally, there is currently one small-sided 3G FTP pitch in North Warwickshire:

• Outwards Primary School

Consultation indicated that Pack Meadow is the only 3G FTP available for community use. Bodymoor Heath is Aston Villas Training Ground and therefore has no community access. Two of the three full size pitches within North Warwickshire are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommend that the 3G FTP at Pack Meadow is included within the register to enable more match play on 3G.

The geographical spread of existing facilities is uneven as the only full size 3G FTP available for community use is located in the south of the Authority. There are facilities/provision gaps to the north, east and west of the Authority despite high levels of population in these areas and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Local consultation reveals common issues with low availability, long travel distances and lack of match play on 3G and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Five priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Undersupply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model. Each site was selected by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographical spread and success. An either/or project has also been identified by the steering group:

1 - The Queen Elizabeth Academy: New 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP

• Existing facilities: 3 full size grass pitch equivalents. One full size sand dressed AGP. Changing provision.
• Current users: Atherstone Rangers. School users.
• Rationale: Support participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities, disability football, recreational football and football for the over 50s.

2 - Abbey Green Park: New 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP (either/or project with North Warwickshire Cricket Club)

• Existing facilities: One small sided grass pitch. MUGA.
• Current users: Recreational/informal users
• Rationale: Support participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities, disability football, recreational football and football for the over 50s.

3 - Arley Sports Centre: New small sided 3G FTP (Refurbishment of existing small sided MUGA)

• Existing facilities: Two full size grass pitch equivalents. Indoor Sports Hall. Adequate changing facilities.
• Current users: Haunchwood Sports Juniors
• Rationale: Support participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities, disability football, recreational football and football for the over 50s.

4 - Baddesley Recreation Ground: New small sided 3G FTP (Refurbishment of existing small sided sand dressed AGP)

• Existing facilities: Three full size grass pitch equivalents. Small sided sand based AGP.
• Users: Top Score (12 Teams)
• Rationale: Support participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities, disability football, recreational football and football for the over 50s.

5 - North Warwickshire Cricket Club: New Floodlit 11v11 3G FTP (either/or project with Abbey Green Park)

• Existing facilities: One full size and three junior good quality grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
• Current users: Stonydelph Juniors, Cottage Farm Rangers Girls, Cottage Farm Rangers, Dosthill Colts, North Warwick Athletic, Polesworth Juniors and Warwick Miners Veterans
• Rationale: Support participation growth in: junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities, disability football, recreational football and football for the over 50s.

Playing fields are one of the most important resources for sport in England. All football players should have the opportunity to play on good quality grass pitches. However, FA data shows that 63% of pitches in England are poor / low standard and 1 in 6 games are cancelled. As such, poor pitch quality is consistently cited as the number one issue for players.

The priority is, therefore, to sustainably improve grass pitch quality across all main pitch owners (local authorities, education establishments and clubs). However, the level of maintenance required to obtain good quality standards is regularly affected by restricted budgets and limited knowledge/ training. Compaction and grass coverage are two key causes of poor quality pitches. Both are commonly treated via a maintenance driven solution (and do not necessarily require costly drainage schemes).

Playing fields are also a valuable resources for informal play and open-access sites are encouraged but, for many, problems such as dog fouling and vandalism mean that they need to be protected with mitigation measures such as fencing.

In many local areas the key challenge is to create a sustainable approach to provide good quality football pitches for the long-term. Many local authorities (78%) intend to increase pitch hire fees in the future. However, many players (63%) believe facilities are already expensive and some (16%) believe prices are prohibitive. A sustainable solution should, therefore, carefully balance pitch quality and affordability.

While the education sector (37%) and local authorities (32%) are still the principal asset owners of grass pitches, clubs / leagues own or maintain an increasing share (currently 25%). Assets and opportunities have been considered across each sector.

Although large (3+ pitch) strategic sites are important and make up much of the project list within the LFFPs, this does not mean that other club, league and community/voluntary sites are not important or eligible for funding. These sites are key to the Football Foundation's Grass Pitch Programme to deliver 20,000 good quality pitches.

For more information click here.

PitchPower

The PitchPower app is the gateway to any grass pitch improvement funding. It is the tool that will allow clubs and organisations to complete pitch inspections and access funds.

If you haven't signed up and completed a PitchPower pitch inspection, you will need to do this before you can apply for the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.

Learn more by clicking here.

There are currently 11 key grass pitch sites in North Warwickshire with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with less than three pitches but of strategic importance determined by the steering group), containing 35 grass pitches. Of these 11 sites, seven are considered to have good quality pitches and four are considered standard / poor quality.

North Warwickshire Playing Pitch Strategy was approved in principle by North Warwickshire Borough Council in 2018. This document will provide a full evidence base and pitch quality ratings.

Local consultation shows common issues with pitch quality and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Four priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Two of the sites have only two full size grass pitch equivalents, however these are deemed to be strategically important for affiliated football in North Warwickshire by the project steering group.

1 - The Queen Elizabeth Academy: Works to natural grass pitches

• Existing Facilities: Three full size grass pitch equivalents. Sand dressed AGP.
• Current Users: Atherstone Rangers and school users
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football and women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, football for the over 50s, BAME communities and informal/recreational football.

3 - Arley Sports Centre: Works to natural grass pitches and provide storage facility

• Existing Facilities: Two full size grass pitch equivalents and small sided MUGA.
• Current Users: Haunchwood Sports Juniors and recreational users.
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football and women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, football for the over 50s, BAME communities and recreational football.

6 - Royal Meadow Drive: Works to natural grass pitches and provide storage facility

• Existing Facilities: Creation of 3 full size grass pitch equivalents. MUGA.
• Current Users: Atherstone Rangers
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football and women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, football for the over 50s, BAME communities and informal/recreational football.

7 - Piccadilly Sports Field: Works to natural grass pitches and provide storage facility

• Existing Facilities: Two full size grass pitch equivalents.
• Current Users: Wood End Sports, Kingsbury FC, Kingsbury Rangers, Kingsbury Aztecs
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football and women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, football for the over 50s, BAME communities and informal/recreational football.

These can provide a number of different benefits. While the primary function is normally the provision of changing rooms to accommodate match-play and training (for players and officials), there can be equal value in facilities such as community and education rooms, catering facilities and spectator toilets.

Each project will take a progressive approach to pavilions and clubhouses (beyond the provision of changing rooms) and be open to new opportunities to engage the whole community. That means, creating environments that are welcoming to players, spectators, volunteers, officials and all sections of the community.

Such assets should support other investment priorities (e.g. 3G FTPs and grass pitches) and be located at sites that will have the greatest impact on local communities. To ensure this, focus is given to sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents. However, as pitch quality is the number one priority for players this is prioritised before investment in changing room pavilions /clubhouses.

Clearly, facilities need to be well managed and maintained to keep them in a good state of repair. Consideration will be given to reviewing the best operator solution for key sites and the installation of revenue generating features such as catering facilities and community rooms. To achieve this, business plan support will be given to each priority project as it progresses to an application to the Football Foundation.

Of the 11 key grass pitch sites in North Warwickshire with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with less than three pitches but of strategic importance determined by the steering group), X have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses and two have facilities that need improvement/replacement. Five key sites require new facilities, including Abbey Green Park and Queen Elizabeth Academy will require a new changing pavilion should 3G FTPs be developed at these sites.

Seven priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Each project has three or more full-size pitch equivalents, or is deemed a strategic football site, and has either no facilities or was deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion:

1 - The Queen Elizabeth Academy: Provide new changing pavilion if 3G FTP is developed

• Existing facilities: Three poor quality full size grass pitch equivalents. Full size sand dress AGP.
• Current users: Atherstone Rangers and school use.
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities and recreational football

2 - Abbey Green Park: Provide new changing pavilion if 3G FTP is developed

• Existing facilities: One small sided grass pitch. MUGA.
• Current users: Informal/recreational users. Area is set to experience significant housing growth.
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities and recreational football.

4 - Baddesley Recreation Ground: Refurbish existing changing pavilion

• Existing facilities: Three standard quality full size grass pitch equivalents. Small sided sand dressed AGP in poor condition.
• Current users: Top Score. Recreational/informal users.
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities and recreational football.

5- North Warwickshire Cricket Club: Refurbish existing changing pavilion

• Existing facilities: One full size and three junior good quality grass pitch equivalents.
• Current users: Dotshill Colts, Dotshill Cots Saturday, Cottage Farm Rangers Girl, Cottage Farm Rangers, North Warwick Athletic, North Warwick Athletic Saturday, Polesworth Juniors, Stoneydelph Juniors, Warwick Miners.
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities and recreational football.

6 - Royal Meadow Recreation Ground: Provide new changing pavilion / provided storage facilities.

• Existing facilities: Creation of three full size grass pitch equivalents. MUGA.
• Current users: Atherstone Rangers
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities and recreational football.

7 - Piccadilly Recreation Ground: Provide storage facilities

• Existing facilities: Two full size grass pitch equivalents. Adequate changing facilities.
• Current users: Tamworth Ladies and Woodend Sports
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities and recreational football.

11 - Coleshill Town FC: New ancillary provision.

• Existing facilities: Good quality full size 3G FTP. 11v11 grass pitch.
• Current users: Coleshill Town FC
• Rationale: Support participation growth in junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

Good facilities are important to all small-sided football players, but it is important to understand the different formats of the small-sided game and the various facility types they relate to.

Research suggests that small-sided players in teams & leagues, and in recreational sessions, prefer a 3G surface type because it replicates a good standard natural turf pitch. These facilities have already been covered in the 3G FTP section of this LFFP.

Indoor environments currently accommodate 20% of football participation and are also popular with players in teams & leagues and recreational sessions . Indoor sports halls are most popular, along with some community halls and indoor 3G centres. Environments need to be engaging, have clear line-marking and the correct size goalposts.

Informal players require facilities that are open and free to access as this enables play opportunities that are often spontaneous. In these circumstances multi-use games areas (MUGAs) can be effective in areas of high urban population and limited green space. Such facilities can be modern, bright, creative and engaging. While this plan will identify suitable locations for such facilities, the design and specifics of the facility type can be agreed at a later stage with Football Foundation staff when projects are ready to progress to pre-application stage.

Parks and open green spaces are also important to informal play and require goalposts and zones that are free from litter and dog fouling.

Local consultation reveals there are no indoor facilities that require improvement to develop small-sided football.

Three potential opportunities for MUGA’s have been identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of high urban population, limited green space, high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:

6 - Royal Meadow MUGA: MUGA Upgrade

• Existing facilities: Creation of three full size adult grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities / MUGA / Play Park
• Current users: Atherstone Rangers. Recreational/informal users.
• Rationale: Investment will support participation growth in: junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities

8 - Mancetter Recreation Ground: MUGA upgrade

• Existing facilities: Three full size grass pitch equivalents. Adequate changing facilities. MUGA and Play Park.
• Current users: Grendon FC. Recreational/informal users.
• Rationale: Investment will support participation growth in: junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

9 - Ansley Common; Bretts Hall Estate: MUGA upgrade

• Existing facilities: MUGA / Skate Park / Play Area
• Current users: Recreational/informal users.
• Rationale: Investment will support participation growth in: junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

Following local consultation, two locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on highly popular local parks and open green spaces with suitable space / areas to increase informal football:

2 - Abbey Green Park: Provide informal football facility

• Existing facilities: One small sided grass pitch. MUGA.
• Current users: Recreational/informal users.
• Rationale: Investment will support participation growth in: junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities

10 - Grendon Road, Polesworth: Provide informal football facility

• Existing facilities: Two full size grass pitch equivalents. MUGA and Skate Park
• Current users: Recreational/informal users.
• Rationale: Investment will support participation growth in: junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

• Principle - The Queen Elizabeth Academy
• Playing Fields Sub-committee - Austrey Parish Council
• Arley Parish Council
• Secretary - Hurley Kings FC
• Secretary - Coleshill Town FC
• Secretary - Kingsbury Aztecs
• Secretary - Stoneydelph Junior
• Secretary - Atherstone Rangers Juniors