Local Football Facility Plan Horsham

Horsham is located in the South East region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 140,142. This is expected to rise to 159,502 by 2039.

Horsham’s ethnic composition is primarily white (96%). This is substantially higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Horsham’s population represented by the BAME community is 4%. This is well below the national average (14.6%).

Local authority

Horsham's District Sports Facility Strategy (2017-3031) sets out a vision to facilitate provision of good quality and accessible facilities to accommodate a range of sports / physical activities to meet current and future levels of demand, and to provide enhanced participation opportunities to increase the number of people regularly taking part in sport and physical activity. The underpinning aim is to increase levels of physical activity and generate improvements to public health within the District. The direction of priorities and actions identified in this strategy are based on the District's emerging Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) and Indoor Built Facilities Strategy.

As of the date of LFFP preparation, the Authority's PPS was nearing completion.

County football association

Horsham is covered by the Sussex 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. The below inforgraphic shows Football Foundation funded projects in Horsham from 2000-2018.

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)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Crawley Town Community Foundation is currently active across a number of areas in Sussex, running a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities. It has aspirations to become more active in Horsham.

Local leisure operator

Places Leisure is the key leisure operator in Horsham and currently runs four sports centres. It does not; however, operate and grass pitch or AGP provision.

A point to note, a number of sites accessed for affiliated football in Horsham are operated by schools, town and parish councils. As such, they are recognised as being key partners.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Horsham. In total, 28 individuals (representing 24 local organisations) were spoken to. Agencies consulted include:

• Horsham District Council
• Shipley Community Project
• Horsham YMCA
• Christ Hospital School
• Horsham & District Youth Football League
• Mid Sussex Football League

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Horsham has total of 280 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 Horsham 11 clubs have more than ten registered teams. These (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Ashington Cougars FC - 13 teams
• Billingshurst Youth FC - 18 teams
• Broadbridge Heath Junior FC - 11 teams
• Chesworth Rovers FC - 12 teams
• Henfield Youth FC - 11 teams
• Horsham Sparrows FC - 18 teams
• Roffey Robins FC - 10 teams
• Southwater FC - 13 teams
• Southwater Royals FC - 10 teams
• Steyning Town Community FC - 24 teams
• Storrington community FC - 13 teams

Five leagues operate in Horsham. They offer competitive opportunity for many different players, including women and girls, youth and adults. While there are no specific league opportunities for disability within Horsham, suitable provision is made in neighboring Crawley.

Horsham largest local leagues (2018-19) include:

• Arun & Chichester Youth Football League – 331- teams– home and away
• Horsham & District Youth Football League – 265- teams– home and away

The County FA reports some cross boundary migration to / from Horsham primarily due to the fact that leagues cover more than one local authority area.

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 Horsham there are a number of unaffiliated sessions specifically for people with a disability. These sessions are run on a Monday evening at Bluecoat Sports Centre by the Ready and Able Club, as well as on Saturday mornings at the Forest Recreation Centre by Forest Flyers FC. In addition to this, both Albion in the Community and 3Way Group run occasional disability football fun days. It is a priority of the County FA to further develop 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 girl’s 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. Horsham has four FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 12, Horsham’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 women and girls’ league is the Sussex County Women & Girls Football league. A league in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Brighton & Hove Albion Women which is located in Adur. 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 Brighton & Hove Albion Women 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.

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

• Play Football – Horsham RFC
• Power Play – Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre
• Power Play – Holbrook Sports Club

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 futsal teams in Horsham; however, Futsal Fever is operating out of The Holbrook Club. In addition, the Horsham & District Youth Football League run an annual youth Futsal tournament at The Holbrook Club for some of their youth teams. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for youth 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 are currently no FA Just Play centres in Horsham. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as the Horsham & Shipley Community Project. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development.

Informal football

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

Currently, informal football in Horsham is played across the District. Sites have been identified in the north, south and central part of the local authority as being well used.

The key strengths of local football in Horsham include female, male and youth provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, there are aspects of provision that are lower than that found in local authorities of a similar size, these include disability football.

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

1. Introduce Flexi Football including Walking Football
2. To maintain and further expand Disability Football
3. Grow Youth Futsal
4. Introduce FA Mars Just Play

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

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

This section reviews existing football facility assets in Horsham. 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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FA data states that there are currently three full-sized (11v11) 3G FTPs in Horsham. This is a shortfall of four relative to assessed demand; however, the emerging PPS suggests that future demand could result in the shortfall increasing to as many as eight.

Existing full size 3G FTPs in Horsham are located at:

• Shootings Field (Steyning Town Community FC)
• Horsham Rugby Football Club
• Horsham FC

In addition, there are four small sided 3G FTPs in Horsham located at Holbrook Tythe Barn, Horsham FC (75x48) and The Holbrook Club (30x55) x2.

All three full size 3G FTPs are available for community use; however, the pitch at Horsham RFC is located at a rugby site and will service rugby pitch demand; as a consequence it is likely to offer reduced football access.

Both Shootings Field (Steyning Town Community FC) and Horsham RFC are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommend that the pitches at Horsham FC and any 3G FTPs developed going forward are assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G. It is anticipated that both the full size and small size 3G FTP at Horsham FC will soon be on the FA 3G FTP register,

The geographic spread of existing facilities is uneven, with one being located in the south and one to the east of Horsham centre. There are facility / provision gaps in the west, north and central areas of the Authority despite the substantial settlements in these locations. It is recommended that this is addressed.

Local consultation reveals common issues with low availability and a need to travel significant distances to train/play on 3G; it is recommended that these are addressed.

Nine priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Under-supply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model, whilst taking into account predicted future demand identified in the emerging PPS.

Although there is a current shortfall of four full size 3G FTPs, increasing to eight based on predicted future demand, nine projects have been identified. The project steering group considered additional projects as there is currently still a requirement for feasibility to be assessed, which could potentially rule out some of the identified projects.

It should be noted that the PPS is yet to be signed off by relevant partners, meaning that figures may be subject to change. Any alterations should be reflected within this plan and any reduction to the number of pitches required should result in the projects being further investigated to determine the best ones to take forward.

Each site proposed in the LFFP was selected based upon a rationale of good access, high population, geographic spread and the quality of existing facilities. Three; those at North Horsham, Kilnwood Vale and Southwater Sports Club, are to be considered as future projects and are linked to upcoming housing developments.

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 one in six games is 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.

PitchFinder indicates that there are currently 17 grass pitch sites in Horsham with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or smaller sites deemed to be strategically important). Between them these sites contain 61 grass pitches.

Local consultation shows common issues with poor pitch quality and it is recommended that this is addressed.

12 priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Seven have three or more full-size pitch equivalents of poor or standard quality, three are considered to be strategically important and in need of investment despite being smaller and two; Kilnwood Vale and Steyning Town Community Football Club, are to be developed.

Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS data and ratified by local partners. Prioritisation was based upon a rationale of selecting larger sites where pitches are in the poorest condition, that were best-utilised plus strategic and large club sites.

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 ahead of investment in changing room pavilions / clubhouses.

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

Of the 17 key sites (with three or more full-size pitch equivalents or that are deemed to be strategically important) in Horsham, six have suitable changing room pavilions / clubhouses, six have facilities that need improvement / replacement and four have no facilities and require a new changing pavilion. The latter figure includes two sites that are yet to be developed (Klinwood Vale and North Horsham).

10 priority projects for potential investment are, therefore, identified, all of which have three or more full-size pitch equivalents or are deemed to be strategically important. Each site either has no facilities (including those yet to be developed) or was deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion.

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 and leagues and recreational sessions. Indoor sports halls are most popular, along with some community halls and indoor 3G centres. Environments need to be engaging, have clear line-marking and the correct size goalposts.

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

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

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

Eight potential opportunities for MUGAs are identified. The rationale for these are the site being in an area of relatively high urban population and/or with higher levels of inactivity (based on Active Sussex Horsham District Inactivity Profile) and/or being identified for improvement in the Horsham District Sports Facility Strategy (2017-2031).

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

• Chairman - Billinghurst FC
• Clerk - Billinghurst PC
• Chairman - Broadbridge Heath FC (Senior & Jr)
• Chairman - Chesworth Rovers FC
• Commercial Manager - Christ Hospital School
• Chairman - Henfield FC
• Deputy Manager - Henfield Leisure Centre
• Clerk - Henfield PC
• Head of Community & Culture - Horsham District Council
• Leisure Strategy and Client Manager - Horsham District Council
• Landscape & Horticultural Officer - Horsham District Council
• Sports Development Manager - Horsham District Council
• Chairman - Horsham & District Youth Football League
• General Secretary - Horsham & District Youth Football League
• Chairman - Horsham Tigers FC
• Committee member & YMCADLG - Horsham YMCA FC
• Engagement Coordinator - Horsham YMCA
• General Secretary - Mid Sussex Football League
• Clerk - Pulborough PC
• Chairman - Roffey FC
• Chairman - Roffey Robins FC
• Founder - Shipley Community Project
• Chairman - Shipley FC
• Clerk - Southwater PC
• Head of PE & Assistant Development Officer - Steyning Grammar School
• Chairman - Steyning Town Community FC
• Chairman - Sussex County Womens and Girls League
• Chairman - Storrington FC