Local Football Facility Plan Bromley

Bromley is in the Greater London region.

The current population of the authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 326,889. This is expected to rise to 395,077 by 2039.

Bromley is ranked 30th out of 33 LAs in the region, and 218 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Bromley's ethnic composition is primarily white (84.32%). This is comparable to the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Bromley’s population represented by the BAME community is 15.68%. This is slightly above the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

The LB Bromley Local Plan was adopted in January 2019 and commits to a range of objectives to deliver a set of outcomes. In respect of health and wellbeing it identifies the following objectives - to:

• Produce healthier environments and infrastructure to support people in living fuller, longer, healthier, and more sustainable lives.
• Co-ordinate the improvement of Bromley’s designated Renewal Areas, and other areas with environmental difficulties, to reduce health inequalities; and encourage all communities to improve their own environments.
• (Ensure that) neighbourhoods offer good quality homes and an accessible range of shops and services, appropriate to the roles of the different centres - from town centres to local neighbourhood centres and parades.
• Ensure that new community facilities are appropriately located to provide accessible, effective and modern services, and resist the net loss of facilities.

The Plan commits to sustain and increase participation in sport and physical activity in Bromley and support development of accessible sports and leisure facilities to improve the quality of provision and widen opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity.

The local authority does not have a current playing pitch strategy in place.

County football association

Bromley is covered by both London and Kent County FAs. They provide governance for, and development support to, all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. County FAs have a designated facilities investment lead officer who works to ensure the right facilities are located in the right locations.

Football Foundation

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

Sport England

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

Professional community club organisations (CCOs)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Palace For Life Foundation (Crystal Palace FC) and The Charlton Athletic Community Trust both run a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities in the local area.

Local leisure operator

There is a mixed economy of leisure operators involved in community football facilities in Bromley. Management arrangements vary from school/academy-run venues to sites run by commercial providers, to those in place at Darrick School (operated by Darrick Sports) and GLL's management of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Bromley. 30 individuals (representing 27 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• LB Bromley
• Petts Wood Youth FC
• Orpington & Bromley District Sunday Football League (OBDSFL)
• Streetgames
• Crystal Palace Sports Partnership

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Bromley has a total of 579 teams, which is higher than local areas of a similar size.

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

Over the last 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Bromley, 17 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. These (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

- Bromley FC – 55 teams
- Petts Wood (Youth) FC – 48 teams
- Orpington FC – 28 teams
- Beckenham Town Junior FC – 27 teams
- Old Wilsonians Youth FC – 25 teams
- Bromleians FC (Youth) – 18 teams
- Crystal Palace Youth – 18 teams
- Ex Blues FC – 16 teams
- Coney Hall Youth – 15 teams
- Orpington Rovers – 18 teams
- FC Elmstead (1958) – 17 teams
- Glebe (Youth) – 17 teams
- The Warren (Youth) – 16 teams
- West Wickham Junior FC – 13 teams
- Holmesdale FC - 11 teams
- Advanced Football Academy – 10 teams
- Old Wilsonians FC – 10 teams

Leagues

Six leagues operate in Bromley. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, disability, youth and adults.

Bromley's largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

• Metropolitan Sunday League 36 teams – home and away
• Tandridge Youth League – 91 teams– home and away
• Orpington & Bromley District Sunday Football League - 51 teams home and away
• Bromley & South London Football League – 36 teams home and away
• Bromley Christian Football League – 24 teams home and away
• South East London & Kent Youth League (SELKENT) - 810 teams home & away

The County FAs report that there is low level of cross boundary migration to/from Bromley.

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 Bromley, a small number sessions is run specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the two County FA's to grow this provision. For talented players the FA runs regional centres and England national squads.

Women and girls

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

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

FA Wildcats girls football centres provide the first step on the recreational pathway, the programme provides girls aged 5-11 with regular opportunities to play football in a fun and engaging environment. Bromley has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 28, Bromley’s number of female teams is comparable to 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 Kent Girl's and Women's League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the also the Kent Girls and Womnen's League.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Charlton Athletic FC; located in New Eltham. Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. The nearest local Women’s Super League team is West Ham FC which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small sided football

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

Small-sided teams and 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

• Goals Soccer Centre Beckenham
• Goals Soccer Centre Beckenham North*

*This site is due to close in May 2019.

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it is 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 affiliated futsal teams in Bromley. It is a priority for both County FAs to grow futsal for all players.

Recreational football

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

There is currently one FA Just Play Centre in Bromley. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of organisations such as Goals Beckenham . Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development.

Informal football

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

Currently, informal football in Bromley is played across the borough.

The key strengths of local football in Bromley include adult and youth male affiliated provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, provision gaps and aspects of the participation in the game that are lower than local authorities of a similar size do exist; these include disability and recreational provision.

It is, thus, recommended that the future football development priorities for Bromley are:

1. To increase the number of Wildcats centres
2. To increase the number of female teams
3. To increase the number of disability teams/sessions
4. To increase the number of Just Play sessions
5. To increase futsal provision in the borough.

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

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

This section reviews existing football facility assets in Bromley. 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 in line with four investment priorities:

• 3G FTPs
• Improved grass pitches
• Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
• Small sided facilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

There are 11 existing full-sized (11 v 11) or Youth U15/U16 sized 3G FTPs in Bromley. These are located at:

• Bishops Justus School (two: one full-sized 3G FTP, one Youth U15/U16 sized - 91m x 55m FTP). Both are used for match play and affiliated training.
• Bromley Football Club (two full-sized 3G FTPs)
• Darrick Wood Sports Centre (one Youth U15/U16 sized - 91m x 55m FTP). This is used for matchplay and affiliated training.
• Darwin Leisure Centre (one full-sized 3G FTP)
• HSBC Sports & Social Club (one full-sized 3G FTP)
• Ravens Wood School (one full-sized 3G FTP)
• Ravensbourne School (one full-sized 3G FTP)
• The County Ground (one full-sized 3G FTP)
• Harris Academy Orpington Sports Centre (one 89m x 62m 3G FTP). This is not sanctioned for affiliated matchplay but is well used for affiliated training.

In addition, there are currently 24 small-sided 3G FTPs in Bromley:

• Goals Soccer Centre Beckenham North (eight 5v5)
• Goals Soccer Centre Beckenham (nine 5v5)
• Bromley FC (one 7v7)
• Club Langley (one 7v7)
• Crystal Palace National Sports Centre (two 7v7, one of these is an indoor 'domed' facility)
• Harris Academy Orpington Sports Centre (one 7v7)
• Trinity Church of England Primary School (one 7v7)
• Mottingham Primary School (one 7v7)

The following sites are already being planned without funding from the Football Foundation:

• Crystal Palace Academy (Coopers Cope Road) - this site is presently occupied by Beckenham Goals Centre North but commercial small sided provision will cease operation as of 31 May 2019 when the lease will transfer to Crystal Palace FC. This venue will be the new home of the Crystal Palace's Academy for which facility developments will include installation of a full-sized 3G FTP.. This development has potential to free up some community use capacity at The County Ground as, currently, the primary user at this site is the Crystal Palace Academy.
• Eden Park School - this is a new school being built on Balmoral Road in Beckenham. Plans include a full sized 3G FTP. The extent of the community use programme is undetermined at the point of the LFFP report production although options are being explored by the relevant stakeholders.
• Flamingo Park - this will become the new home ground for Cray Wanderers FC. Plans for the site (which is due to open in 2021) include a full-sized FIFA pro quality 3G FTP which will be primarily used by the Club first team. The Club has ambitions to develop an additional 3G FTP to service its junior teams and the wider community. (More detail about this can be found below in the 'Chislehurst Area 3G FTP' priority project listing).

As noted earlier, there is no current PPS and demand for full sized 3G FTPs has, as a consequence, been calculated using the FA training ratio model (1:38). On the basis that there are 579 teams in Bromley, there is a requirement for 15 full sized 3G FTPs. The 11 full-sized 3G FTPs (or equivalent) mean that there is a current shortfall of four. In terms of this LFFP it has been determined that two of the abovementioned full-sized 3G FTP developments (at Coopers Cope Road and Eden Park High School) will have a substantial impact on supply within Bromley. The resultant deficit is, thus, two full-sized 3G FTPs.

All the full-sized 3G FTPs are available for community use. Those at Bishops Justus School, Bromley Football Club, Darrick Wood Sports Centre, Raven Wood School and Harris Academy Orpington Sports Centre are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). Other existing 3G FTPs and the proposed new venues should all be assessed and placed on the Register. The geographic spread of existing facilities is relatively even. However, there is a notable provision gap in the north east of the borough.

Local consultation reveals issues associated with limited availability and affordability of 3G and the intention of this plan is to make headway in addressing these.

Three full sized 3G FTPs are identified for potential investment alongside two small sided projects. These proposals take account of the high population density and levels of demand, geographic spread and the quality of, and access to, existing facilities. Whilst presenting a potential oversupply, it was decided to include Crystal Palace National Sports Centre as this site has the potential to service not just Bromley but also high recreational demand in neighbouring local authorities (Lewisham, Lambeth, Croydon and Southwark) . Full supply and demand analysis will be conducted at application feasibility stage.

A number of the identified projects are identified as either/or options, as feasibility appraisals to determine the best locations are still required:

There are currently 42 grass pitch sites in Bromley with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 186 grass pitches.

Of the 42 key pitch sites referenced, six are prioritised for improvements. This will affect a total of 33 pitches. This number is relatively low when considering the high number of grass pitch sites in Bromley, however, as there is no PPS in place currently it is recommended that a full needs assessment should be undertaken in due course to identify where improvements are required across the borough. Supporting clubs to maintain their own grass pitches should be a priority. One additional new key site will also require pitch improvements.

Sites listed were identified through club consultation which highlighted common issues associated with poor pitch quality which should, post PPS implementation, be addressed.

Seven priority projects for potential investment are identified. Prioritisation was informed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition, that had the most pitches and that are, or have the potential to be, best-utilised:

Of the 42 key grass pitch sites in Bromley with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance) 35 sites have suitable changing rooms; the pavilions at five sites require improvement/replacement.

The one new additional key site referred to in the Improved grass pitches section will also require a new build pavilion.

Eight priority projects for potential investment are identified:

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 and leagues, and in recreational sessions, prefer a 3G surface type because it replicates a good standard natural turf pitch. These facilities have already been covered in the 3G FTP section of this LFFP.

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

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

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

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

Local consultation reveals that no MUGAs are required to develop small sided football.

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

A range of local agencies and larger (usually 10 plus team) local football clubs were invited to participate in the LFFP consultation. Those that contributed are listed below:

• Area Director (London & South East) - StreetGames
• Chairman - Glebe FC
• Chairman - Orpington FC
• Chairman - Petts Wood Youth FC
• Club Representative - Ballers Club Community
• Co-Secretary - Crystal Palace Sports Partnership
• Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Palace for Life Foundation
• Director of Education and Sport - Charlton Athletic Community Trust
• Director - Cray Wanderers FC
• Football Development Officer - London Football Association
• General Manager - Bromley FC
• Ground Development Representative - Cray Wanderers FC
• Head of Delivery - London Football Association
• Head of Leisure - LB Bromley
• League Secretary - Orington & Bromley District Sunday Football League (OBDSFL)
• League Secretary - Tandridge Youth League
• Relationship Manager - London Sport
• Secretary - Advanced Football Academy
• Secretary - Beckenham Tigers FC (via Club Survey)
• Secretary - Bromleians FC
• Secretary - Coney Hall Youth
• Secretary - Bromley Road FC (via Club Survey)
• Secretary - Bromley Salvation Army FC (via Club Survey)
• Secretary - Ex Blues FC
• Secretary - Green Street Green FC (via Club Survey)
• Secretary - Mottingham Forest FC (via Club Survey)
• Secretary - Reaching FC (via Club Survey)
• Secretary - St Mary Cray Athletic (via Club Survey)
• Secretary - The Warren JFC