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Local Football Facility Plan Braintree

Introduction

01

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

  • Braintree District Council
  • Essex County FA
  • Sport England
  • Football Foundation.

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.

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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 Braintree.

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 Essex 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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Braintree

02

Local area

Braintree is located in the Essex region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 151,677. This is expected to rise to 158,499 by 2039.

29.3% of the Braintree population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups).

Braintree’s ethnic composition is primarily White (96.6%) and this is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Braintree’s population represented by the BAME community is 3.4%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

Demographics

  • 151,677 Current population (2017)
  • 158,499 Projected population (2039)
  • 24th most deprived out of 47 local authorities in the region
  • 197th most deprived out of 326 local authorities in England

Ethnicity data

  • Asian (1.36%)
  • Black (0.62%)
  • Mixed (1.25%)
  • Other (0.17%)
  • White (96.6%)
26%
25%
26%

% of people that are inactive

  • Braintree
  • Region
  • England

ONS data and Sport England Active Lives Survey 2016/17

Braintree
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Local partners

Local Authority

Braintree Council's A Strategy for People and Places commits it to improving the well-being of all residents and communities now and for future generations, ensuring that local needs are met, developments are sustainable and accessible and that historic towns, villages and attractive countryside are maintained, improved and protected. To achieve this, one of the listed objectives is to ensure there is varied accessible provision for leisure and recreational activities which promote healthy lifestyles and social inclusion.

The Authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy which was produced in 2016 . The key findings identified that the majority of grass pitches were rated as standard (78%) with only 3% rated as poor. There is spare capacity across all grass provision, however, it must be noted that some of these sites are small, and in remote areas from the main focal points of demand. The PPS also states that there is one full size 3G FTP, resulting in a shortfall of four 3G FTP in the Authority . It must be noted that calculations were undertaken assuming 45 teams could be allocated viable training slots on a single such pitch and not 42 teams, which is the current FA model.

County Football Association

Braintree is covered by Essex 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.

Football Foundation Investment

9 Total grants
  • £3,192,229 Total project cost
  • £1,444,105 Total grant value
  • 9 Sites improved
  • 3 New 3G FTPs
  • 2 Changing rooms / pavilions
  • 0 Grass pitches improved

*See Football Foundation Website for more information: http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes

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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.

County Sports Partnership (CSP)

Active Essex is a publicly funded organisation supported by Essex County Council and Sport England. It aims to make sport accessible for all Essex residents by:

  • providing up-to-date information on sports, activities, events and programmes available in and around our county;
  • running training courses for those who are seeking a more structured involvement in sport and physical activity, for example as a coach or referee;
  • funding clubs, community sport initiatives and individuals through small grants;
  • partnering with other organisations and trusted third parties to increase the number and range of opportunities available;
  • advocating for improved and enhanced sport facilities, funding and engagement for the communities we serve.

As the strategic lead for physical activity across the county, in its 2017 - 2021 strategy it focuses on getting one million more people active by 2021.

Professional club community organisations (CCOs)

These continue to expand and enhance their range of community delivery, offering a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). There is no active CCO in Braintree.

Local leisure operator

Fusion Leisure is the key leisure operator in Braintree. It currently operates five key sites including Braintree Sport and Lesiure Club and Halstead Leisure Centre. In relation to football provision, it manages the 3G pitch at Braintree Sport & Health Club which is available during evenings and weekends for community use. It also manages sand dressed provisions at both Witham Sports Ground and Halstead Leisure Centre which can accommodate training demand. The Local Authority currently manages the Discovery Centre, which offers a small sided (60*40) 3G FTP, and is available to hire during peak and off peak periods.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Braintree. 15 individuals (representing 13 local organisations) were consulted. These include:

  • Braintree Council
  • Fusion Leisure
  • Community 360
  • Greenfields Community Housing

As part of the consultation, all clubs with over 10 teams or more were consulted with. Of the 12 clubs, consultation was undertaken with six clubs (listed in appendix B). Consultation was unsuccessful with the following: Coggeshall Town, Great Bradfords, Hatfield Peverel, Hedinghams United, Rayne Youth and Witham Town FC .

(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. Braintree has a total of 275 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 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Braintree, 11 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

  • Braintree Town FC / Youth / Girls - 29 teams
  • Coggeshall Town Youth - 11 teams
  • Great Bradfords FC / Veterans / Youth - 13 teams
  • Great Notley Youth - 15 teams
  • Halstead Town FC / Veterans / Youth - 24 teams
  • Hatfield Peverel Youth - 13 teams
  • Notley Youth - 13 teams
  • Silver End FC / Veterans / Ladies / Youth – 12 teams
  • Sporting 77 FC / Youth- 17 teams
  • Valley Green Ladies / Veterans / Youth – 16 teams
  • Witham Town FC / Veterans / Youth – 19 teams

Affiliated Teams

275 Teams
  • 76 Adult male teams
  • 3 Adult female teams
  • 102 Youth male teams
  • 8 Youth female teams
  • 3 Disability teams
  • 82 Mini-soccer teams

*The FA Whole Game System - Season 2017/18

Leagues

Four leagues operate in Braintree. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including youth and adults. Note: the Essex County Girls League, Womens League and the Essex Soccability League is county wide.

Braintree largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

  • Braintree & North Essex Sunday League – 26 teams– home and away
  • Blackwater & Dengie Football League – 404 teams – home and away
  • Colchester & District Youth League – 353 teams– home and away
  • County Motor Works Vauxhall Mid Essex Football League – 55 teams– home and away

The County FA reports that there is low level cross boundary migration in Braintree with small numbers of teams migrating outwards to Chelmsford and Colchester.

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 Braintree there are three 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. Braintree has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 11, Braintree’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 Essex County Girls Football 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 Essex County Womens League and matches are played on a home and away and the league is expected to sustain its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is the Essex County Regional Talent Centre which is located in Colchester. 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 West Ham United Ladies 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

  • Football Mundial – Braintree Leisure Centre
  • Soccer Sixes – Discovery Centre, Witham Sports Ground, and Braintree Sport Health Club

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 Braintree. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for youth inclusive of boys and girls players .

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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 two FA Just Play Centres in Braintree. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Halstead Town. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include pro-club community scheme activity / casual bookings which are delivered by a range of organisations including Braintree Town in the Community..

Summary

The key strengths of local football in Braintree include Youth and Adult Disability provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include girls mini soccer provision.

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

  1. Develop a local offer for youth disability.
  2. Develop a Man v Fat programme.
  3. Grow the mini-soccer female affiliated game.
  4. Provide a recreational offer for adults and walking football.

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 Braintree. 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 (FTPs)

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Improved Grass pitches

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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.

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.

The national ‘Mini Pitch’ programme delivers small 3G FTPs at primary school sites to provide a high quality introduction to football and get children more physically active. While mini pitches are reviewed in this section, they are not included in the demand and supply analysis for 3G FTPs.

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Assets and opportunities

FA data states that there are currently two 3G FTPs in Braintree. Braintree's current PPS (2016) determined the 3G FTP shortfall on the basis of a 1:45 ratio, whereas the current shortfall of 3G pitches has been calculated using the FA demand model (1:42). In summary, based on the current FA affiliation data, (275 teams), there is the demand for seven full size FTPs resulting in a current shortfall of five full size FTPs.

Existing full size 3G FTPs in Braintree are:

  • Braintree Sports and Health Club
  • Hedingham School

Additionally, there are currently 2 small-sided 3G FTPs in Braintree, these are:

  • Discovery Centre
  • Lyons Hall Primary School

All pitches are available for community use. Braintree Sports and Health Club is listed on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning it is quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommend that the remaining pitches are put on the register to enable more match play on 3G.

The geographical spread of existing facilities is uneven; with provisional gaps in the south and east of Braintree particularly around the town of Witham. Whilst there is a pitch in Braintree, it must be noted that this does not reflect the demand, with demand far outstripping supply for the use of this facility.

Local club consultation reveals common issues with a lack of availability for 3G FTPs, which is reflective of the shortfall in the Authority.

2 Current 3G FTPs
5 More 3G FTPs required
0 More small-sided 3G FTPs required

Priority projects

Four 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- Halstead Leisure Centre: Floodlit 11 v 11 3G FTP

  • Existing Facilities: One sand dressed pitch.
  • Current users: Halstead Town Youth FC
  • Rationale: Poor quality sand dressed facility located at the Leisure Centre which is operational on a dual use arrangement with the Ramsey Academy. The site has been identified as a priority to be converted to 3G, with match funding available through section 106. Investment will support women & girls participation, junior and senior football, informal/recreational, disability and over 50s football.

2- Witham Sports Ground: Floodlit 11 v 11 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: One sand dressed pitch. Six full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Witham Town Youth and Bridge Street Harts.
  • Rationale: Site proposed to become a sports hub, providing opportunities for both hockey and football with a 3G FTP to be installed adjacent to the current sand dressed facility. Like above, some section 106 funding has been sourced to support this development. Investment will support women & girls participation, junior and senior football, informal/recreational, disability and over 50s football.

3- John Ray Recreational Ground: Floodlit 11 v 11 3G FTP *2 (Double Hub Site)

  • Existing facilities: Four full size pitch equivalents.
  • Current users:: Braintree Town Youth
  • Rationale:: Strategic site for football in the Town which hosts weekend league football. Investment will support women & girls participation, junior and senior football, informal/recreational, disability and over 50s football.

4- Notley High School (Notley Sports Centre) : Floodlit 11 v 11 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: Six full size pitch equivalents.
  • Current users: Braintree Town Youth and Great Notley Youth, Braintree & North Essex Sunday League.
  • Rationale: Popular school site which is used by a number of clubs at the weekend. The school is also the lead school for the School Games programme. Investment will support women & girls participation, junior and senior football, informal/recreational, disability and over 50s football.

Current and proposed 3G FTPs in Braintree

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 11 grass pitch sites in Braintree with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 39 grass pitches.

Of these, seven are considered to have poor quality pitches.

In addition, there are three sites of less than three pitches which are deemed to be strategically important and identified as needing investment.

Local consultation illustrates common issues with poor pitch quality and it is recommended this are addressed.

14 Key grass pitch sites
10 Sites prioritised for improvement
42 Full-sized pitch equivalents at these sites

Priority projects

10 priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by FA data and qualified by local partners. The prioritisation was informed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition:

3- John Ray Recreational Ground: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents
  • Current users: Braintree Town Youth
  • Rationale: Strategic site which has the potential to become a hub site. Poor quality grass pitches. On going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

4- Notley High School/Notley Leisure Centre

  • Existing facilities: :13 full size pitch equivalents . Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Great Notley
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

7- Bocking Sports Club: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: :3 full size pitch equivalents . Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Sporting 77
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

8- Deaney Hill: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: 4 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Sporting 77
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

9- King Georges IV Playing: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: 4 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Braintree Iron, Manor Works FC, Notley FC
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

10- New Rickstones Academy: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Witham Nomads
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

11- Rickstones Sports Ground: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Valley Green FC
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

12- Rayne Village Hall: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Rayne Youth FC
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

13- Hedingham Academy: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Hedingham United
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

15- Braintree Sports and Health Club: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents . Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Sporting 77, Notley Park.
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

Current strategic grass pitch sites and proposed grass pitch sites for investment.

Pitchfinder

Changing room pavilions / clubhouses

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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 15 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents and those identified as strategically significant in Braintree, 10 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, four have facilities that need improvement/ replacement and one has no facility which requires a new pavilion.

10 key sites have suitable changing rooms/pavillions/clubhouses
4 require improvement/replacement
1 have no facilities and require new builds

Priority projects

Five 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 deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion:

3-John Ray Recreational Ground: New changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents
  • Current users: Braintree Town Youth
  • Rationale: Strategic site. No changing provision currently at site. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

4- Notley High School/Notley Leisure Centre: Changing provision upgrade

  • Existing facilities: :13 full size pitch equivalents . Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Great Notley
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches, on-going maintenance required. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

7- Bocking Sports Club: Changing provision upgrade

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Sporting 77
  • Rationale: Poor quality changing provision. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

8- Deaney Hill: Changing provision upgrade

  • Existing facilities: 4 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Sporting 77
  • Rationale: Poor quality changing provision. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.:

25- Coggershall United (: Changing provision upgrade

  • Existing facilities: 2 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Coggershall United
  • Rationale: Poor quality changing provision. Investment will support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.:

Existing and proposed changing pavilion sites

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.

SS Facilities 1.png
SS Facilities 2.png

Priority projects

0 Better Indoor spaces
12 MUGAs
0 Better parks / open green spaces

Indoor

Following local consultation, no locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football.

Multi-use Games Areas (MUGAs)

12 potential opportunities for MUGA’s have been identified. In each case the rationale is based on a combination of sites being in areas of a rural nature with limited opportunities, high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:

9- King Georges IV Playing Field: New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: 4 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Braintree Iron, Manor Works FC, Notley FC
  • Rationale: New MUGA to support other facilities in the park. Investment will support recreational and small sided football

12- Rayne Village Hall: New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Rayne Youth FC
  • Rationale: Lack of recreational facilities in the village. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

14- Weavers Park: New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale : Lack of facilities in the Park. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

15- Braintree Sports and Health club: New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: 3 full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Sporting 77, Notley Park.
  • Rationale : New MUGA to support other facilities in the park. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

16- Strutt Memorial Recreational Ground: MUGA upgrade

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: New MUGA to support other facilities in the park. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

17- Silver End Village Hall: MUGA upgrade

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: Recreational users
  • Rationale: Poor quality MUGA. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

18- Kelverdon Recreational Ground: MUGA upgrade

  • Existing facilities: :MUGA
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Lack of recreational facilities in the village. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

19- Ramsey Road Estate: New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: :MUGA
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Lack of recreational facilities in the village. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

20- Kings Road Park: New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: :n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Lack of recreational facilities in the area. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

21- Great Maplestead Playing Field: MUGA Upgrade

  • Existing facilities: :n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Lack of recreational facilities in the area. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

22 - Great Yeldham Recreational Ground: New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: : n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Lack of recreational facilities in the area. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

23- Earls Colne Recreation Ground: New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Lack of recreational facilities in the area. Investment will support recreational and small sided football.

Parks and open green spaces

Following local consultation, no locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football.

Small sided proposals in Braintree

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. Halstead Leisure Centre

Location

HALSTEAD LEISURE CENTRE Colne Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2HR

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

Education

Deliverability score

Very High (4/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.9/4

Overall score

98% (11.8/12)

Project Focus

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

2

2. Witham Sports Ground

Location

WITHAM SPORTS GROUND Spinks Lane, Witham, Essex, CM8 1EP

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Very High (4/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.4/4

Overall score

90% (10.8/12)

Project Focus

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

3

3. John Ray Recreational Ground

Location

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE - BRAINTREE CAMPUS SPORTS GROUND Julien Court Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 9BN

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

4.0/4

Overall score

83% (10.0/12)

Project Focus

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

7

7. Bocking Sports Club

Location

BOCKING SPORTS CLUB Church Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 5LA

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

Football club

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

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

25

24. Coggershall United (The Crops)

Location

THE CROPS COGGESHALL TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB WEST STREET, COGGESHALL, Essex, CO6 1NT

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.9/4

Overall score

73% (8.8/12)

Project Focus

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

4

4. Notley High School/Notley Leisure Centre

Location

NOTLEY SPORTS CENTRE Notley Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 1WY

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (13)
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.1/4

Overall score

68% (8.1/12)

Project Focus

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

8

8. Deanery Hill

Location

DEANERY HILL SCOUT HUT DEANERY HILL, BOCKING, Essex, CM7 5SS

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (4)
  • Refurbish 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

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

9

9. King George IV Playing Fields

Location

KING GEORGE PLAYING FIELDS Cressing Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3PH

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (4)
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 female; Youth male

10

10.New Rickstones Academy

Location

NEW RICKSTONES ACADEMY Conrad Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2SD

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

11

11. Rickstones Sports Ground

Location

RICKSTONES SPORTS GROUND Witham, Essex, CM8 2LX

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

12

12. Rayne Village Hall

Location

RAYNE VILLAGE HALL RAYNE VILLAGE HALL GORE ROAD, RAYNE, Essex, CM77 6TX

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

13

13. Hedingham Academy

Location

HEDINGHAM SCHOOL YELDHAM ROAD, SIBLE HEDINGHAM, HALSTEAD, Essex, CO9 3QH

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

15

15. Braintree Sports and Health club

Location

BRAINTREE SPORT & HEALTH CLUB PANFIELD LANE, BRAINTREE, Essex, CM7 1FF

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
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; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Youth female; Youth male

16

16. Strutt Memorial Recreational Ground (Hatfield Peverel)

Location

Location details: Strutt Memorial Recreational Ground

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.7/4

Overall score

61% (7.3/12)

Project Focus

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

14

14. Weavers Park

Location

Location details: Weavers Park

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.3/4

Overall score

55% (6.6/12)

Project Focus

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

17

17. Silver End Village

Location

SILVER END VILLAGE HALL Broadway, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3RQ

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

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

18

18. Kelverdon Recreational Ground

Location

KELVEDON RECREATION GROUND The Chase, Kelvedon, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9AB

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

19

19. Ramsey Road Estate

Location

Location details: Ramsey Road Estate

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

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

20

20. Kings Road Park

Location

Location details: Kings Road Park

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

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

21

21. Great Maplestead Playing Field

Location

GREAT MAPLESTEAD PLAYING FIELD LIBRARY COTTAGE MONKS LODGE ROAD, GREAT MAPLESTEAD, HALSTEAD, Essex, CO9 2RL

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

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

24

23. Earls Colne Recreational Club

Location

EARLS COLNE RECREATION CLUB HALSTEAD ROAD, EARLS COLNE, COLCHESTER, Essex, CO6 2NG

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Youth female; Youth male

23

22. Great Yeldham Recreational Ground

Location

GREAT YELDHAM RECREATION GROUND RECREATION GROUND PAVILLION TOPPESFIELD ROAD, GREAT YELDHAM, Essex, CO9 4HD

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

1.9/4

Overall score

49% (5.9/12)

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

  • Community Manager: Braintree Council
  • Leisure Manager: Braintree Council
  • Planning Officer: Braintree Council
  • Community Manager Community 360
  • Executive Assistant:: Greenfields Community Housing
  • School Games Coordinator:: Ramsey Academy
  • Youth Community Commissioner : Essex County Council
  • Sport and Leisure Consultant: Active Braintree
  • Community Manager: Fusion Leisure
  • Club Manager: Braintree Hockey Club
  • Head Coach: Great Notley FC
  • Head Coach: Notley Youth FC
  • Head Coach: Sporting 77
  • Head Coach: Halstead Youth FC
  • Head Coach: Braintree Town FC
  • Relationship Manager: England Hockey

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