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Local Football Facility Plan Amber Valley

Introduction

01

This is the Local Football Facility Plan (LFFP) for Amber Valley. It was prepared by Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP) with support from local partners, including:

  • Amber Valley Borough Council
  • Derbyshire County FA
  • Football Foundation
  • Sport England

What is the goal?

Every local area in the Country will have a LFFP to enable investment in football facilities to be accurately targeted.

Who is behind this?

The Football Association, the Premier League and Sport England (on behalf of Government). This partnership finances the National Football Facility Strategy (NFFS) and commissions the Football Foundation to deliver it.

What is the purpose of this plan?

The national funding partners have significantly increased investment to accelerate efforts to deliver more and better football facilities for the grassroots game. The purpose of this plan is to identify the priority projects for potential investment in Amber Valley.

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Why invest in football facilities?

As the nation’s most popular team sport, football has the power to contribute positively to vital social outcomes and health priorities. To maximise this power, facilities have to be welcoming environments to attract first-time users and repeat visits, whether for informal, recreational or competitive football.

Research clearly and continually demonstrates the positive impact high-quality football facilities, in the right locations, can have on participation and enjoyment. Latent demand exists, but facility quantity and quality has to ‘step up’ if football is to reach out to everyone.

How are we going to do it?

£1.3billion has been spent by football and Government since 2000 to enhance existing football facilities and build new ones. However, more is needed if football and Government’s shared objectives for participation, individual well-being and community cohesion are to be achieved.

Nationally, direct investment will be increased – initially to £69 million per annum from football and Government (a 15% increase on recent years). Locally, the work has already started* - this LFFP will guide the allocation of 90% of national funds and forge stronger partnerships with local stakeholders to develop key sites. This, together with local match-funding will deliver over one billion pounds of investment into football facilities over the next 10-years.

What are the priorities for investment?

This LFFP, with guidance from local partners, has developed a list of high level projects for potential investment. Each is aligned to the investment priorities set out in the National Football Facilities Strategy, which include:

  • 1,000 new 3G football turf pitches (FTPs): in a mix of sizes and settings, dependent upon local needs. All aimed at enhancing the quality of the playing experience.
  • 20,000 improved natural-turf pitches: to help address drop-off due to a poor playing experience.
  • 1,000 new changing pavilions / clubhouses: all linked to priority sites.
  • Small-sided facilities: to grow the small-sided game for teams & leagues, recreational and informal play.

What outcomes will be achieved?

The priority projects for potential investment identified in this plan will help develop a sustainable network of quality facilities to drive participation across all parts of the game. Central to this are five key success factors: quality, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage. Each identified project takes account of these factors.

How should this plan be used?

This LFFP will, in effect, be the go-to document for football facility investment in Amber Valley.

Whilst it identifies priority projects for potential investment, it does not guarantee the success of future funding applications. Each project must still follow an application process to show how it will deliver key participation outcomes, become a quality & sustainable facility and demonstrate suitable match-funding.

When each project is in a position to proceed, the Football Foundation will determine a suitable timeframe to submit a grant application and pre-application support will be provided by Derbyshire County FA and the Football Foundation.

Set a 10-Year vision to transform local football facilities
Identify priority projects to be delivered
Act as an investment portfolio for projects that require funding
Be updated up on a regular basis

How should this plan NOT be used?

A LFFP is an investment portfolio of priority projects for potential investment - it is not a detailed demand and supply analysis of all pitch provision in a local area. It cannot be used as a replacement for a Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) and it will not be accepted as an evidence base for site change of use or disposal.

A LFFP will however build on available/existing local evidence and strategic plans and may adopt relevant actions from a PPS and/or complement these with additional investment priorities.

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Amber Valley

02

Local area

Amber Valley is in the East Midlands region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 125,898, which is expected to rise to 134,098 by 2039.

35.2% of the Amber population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups). This is higher than the national average of 30.6%.

Amber Valley’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (98.1%) which is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Amber Valley’s population represented by the BAME community is 1.9%. This is below the national average of 14.6%.

Demographics

  • 125,898 Current population (2017)
  • 134,098 Projected population (2039)
  • 19th most deprived out of 40 local authorities in the region
  • 164th most deprived out of 326 local authorities in England

Ethnicity data

  • Asian (0.76%)
  • Black (0.21%)
  • Mixed (0.8%)
  • Other (0.1%)
  • White (98.13%)
29%
27%
26%

% of people that are inactive

  • Amber Valley
  • Region
  • England

ONS data and Sport England Active lives survey 2016/17

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Local partners

Local Authority

Amber Valley Borough Council’s Corporate Plan (2017-2020) was developed with the vision that Amber Valley is ‘a borough where people want to live, work, play and invest’. The key priorities of this plan are to enable growth and contribute to reducing health inequality within Amber Valley, by enabling residents to access more opportunities to lead healthier lives. This will be measured by the percentage of the population taking part in sport and physical activity at least twice in the last month, as measured by the Sport England Active Lives Survey.

The local authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy in place, produced in 2017. The overarching outcomes from this strategy include increasing the capacity of pitches at key sites through enhanced maintenance regimes and pitch surface improvements. Existing changing pavilion stock is also considered to be poor at several key sites.

The Derbyshire Physical Activity and Sport Strategy (2016-2021) has the vision of ‘more people in Derbyshire engaged in physical activity and sport’, with the ambition of engaging an additional 50,000 people in actives lives by 2021. There will be a focus on addressing the inequalities in physical activity and sport engagement in the following areas: women and girl’s, people from lower social-economic groups and young people aged 5-18.

County Football Association

Amber Valley is covered by Derbyshire County FA. They provide 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.

Football Foundation Investment

8 Total grants
  • £1,071,612 Total project cost
  • £573,131 Total grant value
  • 7 Sites improved
  • 2 New 3G FTPs
  • 2 Changing rooms / pavilions
  • 9 Grass pitches improved

See Football foundation website for more info (http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes)

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 are no professional teams based in Amber Valley. Although Derby County Community Trust regularly provide training sessions and camps within the Borough. .

Local leisure operator

Amber Valley Borough Council has outsourced the running of three of its leisure centres to Places for People Leisure Ltd. It currently operates four key sites at Alfreton, Heanor and Ripley. There are a range of facilities at these sites including swimming pools and leisure centres with gym facilities and sports halls. Belper Leisure Centre is managed by Belper Leisure Centre Limited and has facilities including a 3G FTP.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Amber Valley. 14 individuals (representing 11 local organisations) were consulted. These include:

  • Amber Valley Borough Council
  • Derbyshire County FA

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

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Local football

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Amber Valley has a total of 232 teams, which is comparable to 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 ten years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Amber Valley, ten clubs have more than ten registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

  • Duffield Dynamo FC – 25 teams
  • ADASC – 22 teams
  • Heanor Juniors FC – 20 teams
  • Belper Sports FC – 18 teams
  • Codnor Boys FC – 14 teams
  • Heanor Town Juniors FC – 14 teams
  • Belper Town Juniors FC – 13 teams
  • Ripley Town FC – 13 teams
  • Alfreton Town Juniors FC – 10 teams
  • Leabrooks Juniors FC – 10 teams

Affiliated Teams

232 Teams
  • 41 Adult male teams
  • 2 Adult female teams
  • 97 Youth male teams
  • 18 Youth female teams
  • 0 Disability teams
  • 74 Mini-soccer teams

The FA Whole Game System- season 2017/18

Leagues

One league predominately operates in Amber Valley (Alfreton & District Sunday Football League) and they offer competitive opportunities for adult males, however; the majority of mini-soccer teams in the Borough play in the Derby Junior Football League at central venues in Derby City, whilst youth teams predominately play in the Derby City Football League, North Derbyshire Youth Football League and Derbyshire Girls & Ladies League.

Depending upon the level male adult teams play at within the National League Pyramid, other Amber Valley teams play in the Midlands Regional Alliance and Central Midlands Leagues. While there are no specific league opportunities for disability within Amber Valley, there is however provision provided in the East Midlands PAN Disability League.

Amber Valley’s largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

  • Alfreton & District Sunday Football League – 25 teams – home and away
  • Derby City Football League – 171 teams – home and away
  • North Derbyshire Youth Football League – 227 teams – central venue & home and away
  • Derbyshire Girls & Ladies League – 65 teams – central venue & home and away

The County FA reports that there is some cross boundary migration in Amber Valley due to teams migrating inwards and outwards to the Derby City Football League (Derby City) and Young Elizabethan Football League (Nottingham).

Disability football

There are 9.4million 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 Amber Valley there are no football teams / sessions 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.

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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. Amber Valley has 1 FA Wildcats girls football centre (Heanor Town FC) and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 20, Amber Valley’s number of female teams is higher 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 Derbyshire Girls & Ladies League and matches are played on a central venue basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Derbyshire Girls & Ladies League and matches are played on a home and away basis and the league is expected to sustain its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Derby County which is located in Derby City. 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 FC which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

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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.

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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:

  • Belper Leisure Centre, Belper

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 4 Futsal teams in Amber Valley that play in the Derby Futsal League at key site locations including Lees Brook School, University of Derby and Belper Leisure Centre. It is a priority for the County FA to sustain current Futsal provision and grow Futsal for youth players via a new league at Alfreton Leisure Centre.

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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 are currently six FA Just Play Centres in Amber Valley (all are walking football sessions). Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations such as local grassroots clubs , Heanor Strollers and Amber Valley Leisure Centres. Walking football and Just Play Centres are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include pro-club community scheme activities which are delivered by a range of organisations including Derby County Community Trust.

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 Amber Valley is played particularly in the East and South of the Borough. Nottingham Road Playing Fields (Ripley), Manor Recreation Ground (Belper) and Lockton Avenue Recreation Ground (Heanor) are key site locations that are heavily used.

Summary

The key strengths of local football in Amber Valley include Mini-Soccer, Youth Football, Futsal and Walking Football provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include Disability provision, youth Futsal, adult male. Just Play and open age female Teams.

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Amber Valley are:

1.Increase open age female teams by working with existing female youth teams to develop exit routes into the adult game

2.Develop additional adult male Just Play provision across the Borough and support transition into the male adult game

3.Develop Youth Futsal League provision at Alfreton Leisure Centre

4.Work with Derby County Community Trust to develop disability provision in a central part of the Borough

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.

Assets and Opportunities

03

This section reviews existing football facility assets in Amber Valley. 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.

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3G Football Turf Pitches

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Improved Grass Pitches

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Changing rooms pavilions / clubhouses

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Small-sided facilities

3G Football Turf pitches (FTPs)

04

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.

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Assets and opportunities

FA data states that there are currently no full size 3G FTPs in Amber Valley; this is a shortfall of four* pitches relative to assessed demand.

Existing 3G FTPs in Amber Valley include:

  • Belper Leisure Centre
  • Swanwick School and Sports College – small sided (7v7)
  • Ecclesbourne School (small sided)

*For this process the shortfall has been assessed using the 2017 PPS and FA training demand modelling. The 2017 PPS states “modelling and business planning for AGPs requires use for both training and matches. The presence of the small sided pitches however reduces the potential requirement for training provision”. When calculating the training demand requirements based on there being 232 affiliated teams in Amber Valley, there is an identified shortfall of 5.5 full size 3G FTP’s. However, the steering group took the decision to reduce this shortfall to four. This is based on the evidence that the smaller FTPs at Belper Leisure Centre and Swanwick Hall School are utilised for affiliated training. The potential Parklife hub site developments in Derby City may have some impact on the overall training demand for Amber Valley based teams, this should be reviewed on an annual basis by the LFFP steering group.


There are currently no small sided 3G FTP centres in Amber Valley.


The small sized FTPs at Belper Leisure Centre, Swanwick Hall School and Ecclesbourne School are all available for community use. The pitch at Belper Leisure Centre is on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play).


There are gaps in provision in the main population centres of Alfreton, Belper, Heanor and Ripley. This is despite significant numbers of affiliated teams, and it is recommended that these are addressed.


Local consultation identifies a lack of availability in relation to training demand, with a number of the larger clubs within Amber Valley unable to train on 3G FTPs.

0 Current 3G FTPs
4 More 3G FTPs required
1 More small-sided 3G FTPs required

Priority projects

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, success and quality of existing facilities:

1 - Sleetmoor United (Sleetmoor Lane) - new 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: five full size, one junior and two mini grass pitches with an inadequate Changing Pavilion for the size of club.
  • Existing Users: Sleetmoor United is an amalgamation of ADASC FC, GFC Alfreton Girls & Ladies, and Leabrooks Juniors. In total the club consists of 35 teams.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women and girls.

2 - Heanor Area (site TBC) – new 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: N/A.
  • Existing users: N/A.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls

    *Site not listed on map below.

3 - Nottingham Road Playing Fields – new 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: two full size and one junior grass pitches with no dedicated changing facilities for football. The site has the potential to operate under a trust model and is due to be developed. There is potential for the site to become the permanent home of Ripley Town FC.
  • Existing users: 12 teams from Ripley Town will use the site for 2018/19 season.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls.

4 - Belper Leisure Centre extension of existing Youth 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP to full size 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: youth 11 v 11 FTP, indoor sports hall used for recreational football.
  • Existing users: 18 teams from Belper Sports and the Northern Premier League Football Academy utilise the FTP for training and match play. FTP is also used by recreational users and walking football groups.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls, over 50’s participation.

5 - Somerlea Park Community Centre - new 5v5 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: sand based AGP in poor condition.
  • Existing Users: used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in: informal/recreational football, over 50’s participation.

3G Football Turf pitches (FTPs)

Pitchfinder

Improved Grass Pitches

05

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.

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Assets and opportunities

PitchFinder indicates that there are currently ten grass pitch sites in Amber Valley with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 33 grass pitches.

Of these, the majority of pitches are of standard quality.

A large number of Amber Valley based junior affiliated teams travel to Derby City hub sites for match play. There are currently no 9v9, 7v7 or 5v5 pitches available in the Heanor area, meaning all teams from Heanor travel to central Derby.

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

10 Key grass pitch sites
5 Sites prioritised for improvement
21 Full-sized pitch equivalents at these sites

Priority projects

Five priority projects for potential investment have been identified. All sites have three or more pitches and have a standard pitch quality rating, with Eyes Meadow being an exception with a poor rating due to overplay. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS / FA data and qualified by local partners. Due to the significant number of grass pitch sites in Amber Valley local partners did not select all sites and prioritised only five, containing 21 full size pitch equivalents. The prioritisation was made by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites that were most well utilised and of strategic focus to improve Local Authority and club pitches:

1 - Sleetmoor United (Sleetmoor Lane) – works to natural grass pitches, equipment bank for club.

  • Existing facilities: five full size, one junior and two mini grass pitches with an inadequate Changing Pavilion for the size of club.
  • Existing Users: Sleetmoor United is an amalgamation of ADASC FC, GFC Alfreton Girls & Ladies, and Leabrooks Juniors. In total the club consists of 35 teams. This site is also listed as a potential 3G FTP opportunity. If the 3G development proceeds grass usage at the site will be limited and would potentially not justify investment.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women and girls.

3 - Nottingham Road Playing Fields – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two full size and one junior grass pitches with no dedicated changing facilities for football. The site has the potential to operate under a trust model and is due to be developed. There is potential for the site to become the permanent home of Ripley Town FC. If the 3G development proceeds grass usage at the site will be limited and would potentially not justify investment.
  • Existing users: 12 teams from Ripley Town will use the site for 2018/19 season.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls.

6 - Charles Hill Sports Complex – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: three full size grass pitches with no changing facilities.
  • Existing users: no usage for 2017/18 season. Site has potential to be brought back to use. Potential for Loscoe AFC and Heanor Juniors to become primary users, this will help create junior football hub within Heanor.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women & girl’s.

7 - Eyes Meadow – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: five full size and one junior grass pitches with good quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 12 affiliated teams from Duffield Dynamo and Duffield Old Boys.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

8 - Lockton Avenue Rec Ground – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two full size and one junior grass pitches with standard quality changing facilities.
  • Existing Users: Five affiliated teams from clubs including Abbey Court Car Sales, Eastwood Albion, Heanor Juniors and Mundy Arms.
  • Rationale: Participation growth in; junior football, senior football.


Improved Grass Pitches

Pitchfinder

Changing room pavilions / clubhouses

06

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.

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Assets and opportunities

Of the ten key sites with three or more full size equivalents in Amber Valley, seven have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, two have existing facilities that need improvement/ replacement and one has no facilities and requires a new changing pavilion.

7 key sites have suitable changing rooms/ pavilions/ clubhouses
2 require improvement/ replacement
1 have no facilities and require new builds

Priority projects

Three priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Each project has three or more full-size pitch equivalents and has either no facilities or was assessed against a standard criteria to have an unsuitable pavilion:

1 - Sleetmoor United (Sleetmoor Lane) – refurbish changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: five full size, one junior and two mini grass pitches with an inadequate sized changing pavilion for the size of the club.
  • Existing Users: Sleetmoor United is an amalgamation of ADASC FC, GFC Alfreton Girls & Ladies, and Leabrooks Juniors. In total the club consists of 35 teams.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women and girls.

3 - Nottingham Road Playing Fields – refurbish changing pavilion (extension).

  • Existing facilities: two full size and one junior grass pitches with no dedicated changing facilities for football. The site has the potential to operate under a trust model and is due to be developed. There is potential for the site to become the permanent home of Ripley Town FC.
  • Existing users: 12 teams from Ripley Town will use the site for 2018/19 season.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls.

6 - Charles Hill Sports Complex – new changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: three full size grass pitches with no changing facilities.
  • Existing users: no usage for 2017/18 season. Site has potential to be brought back to use. Potential for Loscoe AFC and Heanor Juniors to use the site, this will help create junior football hub within Heanor.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women & girls.

Changing room pavilions / clubhouses

Pitchfinder

Small-sided facilities

07

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.

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Priority projects

0 Better Indoor spaces
4 MUGAs
2 Better parks/ open green spaces

Indoor

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

Multi-use Games Areas (MUGAs)

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:

3 - Nottingham Road Playing Fields – New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: two full size and one junior grass pitches with inadequate changing facilities, there is also a skate ramp on the site.
  • Existing users: used for affiliated and recreational football.
  • Rationale: Participation growth in; lower socio – economic groups, informal/recreational football.

9 - Alfreton Welfare Ground – upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: dilapidated MUGA.
  • Existing users: used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; lower socio – economic groups, informal/recreational football.

10 - Manor Rec (Belper)– new MUGA

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches. No recreational facilities.
  • Existing users: used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; lower socio – economic groups, informal/recreational football.

Parks and open green spaces

Following local consultation, three 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:

8 - Lockton Avenue Rec Ground – informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: two full size and one junior grass pitches. No recreational facilities.
  • Existing Users: used for affiliated and recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football

11- Rec Ground off Bearle Avenue (Heanor) – informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: none.
  • Existing users: used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; lower socio – economic groups, informal/recreational football.

12 - Codnor Rec Ground – informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: none.
  • Existing users: used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; lower socio – economic groups, informal/recreational football.

Multi-use Games Areas (MUGAs) and Parks & Open green spaces

Pitchfinder

Appendix A: Priority Project List

08

This list compiles all of the priority projects for potential investment. Each project has been scored against two principle factors: deliverability and outcomes (quality, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage).

The list will be used flexibly; a projects ‘rating’ does not determine the exact order that it will progress to a funding application to the Football Foundation as we understand there are many factors that influence this. The process for moving a project from this list and into the ‘pre-application stage’ will be managed by the Football Foundation.

1

1 - Sleetmoor United (Sleetmoor Lane)

Location

SLEETMOOR LANE Sleetmoor Lane, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 1RH

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (6)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

4.0/4

Overall score

92% (11.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

2 - Heanor Area (site TBC)

Location

Location details: Site TBC

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

4.0/4

Overall score

83% (10.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

3

3 - Nottingham Road Playing Fields

Location

NOTTINGHAM ROAD PLAYING FIELDS 190 NOTTINGHAM ROAD, RIPLEY, Derbyshire, DE5 3AY

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.8/4

Overall score

80% (9.6/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

5

5 - Somerlea Park Community Centre

Location

SOMERLEA PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE SHERWOOD STREET, LEABROOKS, ALFRETON, Derbyshire, DE55 1LB

Facilities
  • New 5v5 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.8/4

Overall score

79% (9.5/12)

Project Focus

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues

4

4 - Belper Leisure Centre

Location

BELPER LEISURE CENTRE JOHN O'GAUNTS WAY, BELPER, Derbyshire, DE56 0DA

Facilities
  • Refurbish existing 11v11 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Other

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.9/4

Overall score

74% (8.9/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

12

12 - Codnor Rec Ground

Location

CODNOR REC 22 MARKET PLACE, CODNOR, RIPLEY, Derbyshire, DE5 9QA

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.8/4

Overall score

71% (8.6/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

11

11 - Rec Ground off Berle Avenue (Heanor)

Location

Rec Ground off Berle Avenue (Heanor) Berle Avenue, Heanor, , DE75 7PS

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.6/4

Overall score

68% (8.1/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

6

6 - Charles Hill Complex

Location

CHARLES HILL SPORTS COMPLEX CHARLES HILL SPORTS GROUND FLAMSTEAD AVENUE, LOSCOE, HEANOR, Derbyshire, DE75 7RN

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

7

7 - Eyes Meadow

Location

EYES MEADOW DUFFIELD CRICKET CLUB DONALD HAWLEY WAY, DUFFIELD, BELPER, Derbyshire, DE56 4BA

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (6)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth male

9

9 - Alfreton Welfare

Location

ALFRETON WELFARE WEST END CLOSE, ALFRETON, Derbyshire, DE55 7GD

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.7/4

Overall score

62% (7.5/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

10

10 - Manor Rec (Belper)

Location

MANOR REC 1 ALDER ROAD, BELPER, Derbyshire, DE56 1LP

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.7/4

Overall score

62% (7.5/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

8

8 - Lockton Avenue Rec Ground

Location

LOCKTON AVENUE 103 LOCKTON AVENUE, HEANOR, Derbyshire, DE75 7ER

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.7/4

Overall score

61% (7.3/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth male

A project's overall score provides an indication of its potential outcomes and deliverability only (weighted twice as much towards the outcomes score). It does not impact the likelihood or level of any potential investment.

Appendix B: Consultation List

09

  • Assistant Director (Wellbeing) – Amber Valley Borough Council
  • Chairman – Heanor Town FC
  • Chairman – Sleetmoor United
  • Director – Active Derbyshire
  • Football Development Officer (Adult, Recreation and Inclusion) – Derbyshire County FA
  • Football Development Officer (Clubs, League’s & Workforce) – Derbyshire County FA
  • Football Development Officer (Youth & Education) – Derbyshire County FA
  • Head of Community – Derby County Community Trust
  • Head of Facilities & Strategy – Derbyshire County FA
  • Partnership Development Manager – Amber Valley School Sport Partnership
  • Secretary – Alfreton Town FC
  • Secretary – Belper Sports
  • •Secretary – Belper Town FC
  • Secretary – Ripley Town

Survey responses were received from the following affiliated clubs:

  • Codnor Boys/GFC Codnor FC
  • Heanor Town FC
  • Ripley Town FC
  • Sleetmoor United

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