Local Football Facility Plan Ipswich

Ipswich is in the East region.

The current population of the authority (ONS 2018 Mid-Year Estimate) is 137,532. This is expected to rise to 152,738 by 2039.

Ipswich is ranked 7th out of 45 LAs in the region, and 71st out of 317 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Ipswich's ethnic composition is primarily white (88.91%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Ipswich’s population represented by the BAME community is 10.09%. This is below the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

Ipswich Council’s Corporate Plan (Building a Better Ipswich) commits it to a priority around supporting the health sector and meeting community needs. As part of this, the Council states that it will provide accessible sport and leisure opportunities for all ages and abilities and promote the health benefits of physical activity. In addition, the Council also has a priority to provide a high quality environment; within this priority, it states that it will continue to maintain and develop the Borough's park and open spaces and support the development of new green spaces within housing developments, where it is appropriate to do so.

The local authority has no PPS in place.

County football association

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

Football Foundation

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

Sport England

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

Professional community club organisations (CCOs)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Ipswich Town Community Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area, although it has only recently been established and is looking to expand.

Local leisure operator

There is no leisure operator for community football facilities in Ipswich, with the Council operating its facility stock in house.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Ipswich. 29 individuals (representing 25 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Ipswich Borough Council
• Suffolk County Council
• Ipswich Sunday League
• Inspire Suffolk

(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. Ipswich has a total of 326 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 Ipswich, six clubs have more than 10 registered teams. These (based upon 2019-20 affiliation data) are:

• Coplestonians FC – 46 teams
• Ipswich Valley Rangers FC – 28 teams
• Whitton United FC – 20 teams
• Ipswich Exiles Youth FC – 15 teams
• Chantry Grasshoppers FC – 12 teams
• Witnesham Wasps FC – 12 teams

Leagues

Five leagues operate in Ipswich. They offer competitive opportunity for many different players, including disability, youth and adults. While there are no specific league opportunities for women's and girl's or veteran players within Ipswich, there is suitable provision provided via the County-wide catchment of the Suffolk Girls’ and Women’s Football League and the Norfolk & Suffolk Veterans’ League.

Ipswich's local leagues (2019-20) are:

• Suffolk Youth Football League – 430 teams – home and away
• Ipswich & Suffolk Youth League – 148 teams – home and away
• Suffolk & Ipswich League – 108 teams – home and away
• Ipswich Sunday Football League – 51 teams – home and away
• iCAN Football League – 22 teams – central venue

The County FA reports that there is significant cross-boundary migration in Ipswich due to teams migrating inwards to all the above leagues.

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 Ipswich there are six 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 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. Ipswich has nine FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 29, Ipswich’s number of female teams is higher than local areas of a similar size. The County FA’s priority is to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls’ and women's league is the Suffolk Girls’ and Women’s Football League, which plays matches on a home and away basis. The League is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Essex County FA Girls Regional Talent Club, based 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 Ladies 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:

• Suffolk FA Monday Night Football League – Ipswich Academy
• Goals Soccer Centre – Suffolk New College
• Suffolk Sixes Ladies League – Whitton Sports Centre
• Soccer Sixes – Whitton Sports Centre
• Power Play – Whitton Sports Centre / Ipswich Academy

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 that futsal is available across the country.

There are currently five futsal teams based in Ipswich that play in the Suffolk WAYS League and the BUCS Futsal League at key site locations outside of the Borough. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for all players.

Recreational football

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

There are currently two FA Just Play centres in Ipswich. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Ipswich Phoenix FC, Coplestonians FC, Active Lives and Ipswich School. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development.

Other local recreational football programmes include Man vs Fat, SANDS FC and other programmes delivered by a range of organisations including the Ipswich Town Community Trust, Ipswich Borough Council, Inspire Suffolk, the BSC Multicultural Services (BSCMS) and Active Lives.

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 Ipswich is played across the local authority, particularly at local parks and recreation grounds. In addition, Ipswich Borough Council run leisure centres are key site that are heavily used.

The key strengths of local football in Ipswich include youth, adult, female and disability provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and encouraged to grow further. However, there are aspects of football provision that lower than local authorities of a similar size, including futsal and small-sided football.

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

1. Retain adult male participation
2. Retain the local Wildcats offer
3. Continue to deliver a flexi-football offer for adult males
4. Develop the recreational offer for all
5. Develop a localised Futsal offer
6. Support development of club growth and sustainability

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 Ipswich. 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.

There are two existing full-size (11 v 11) 3G FTPs in Ipswich. These are located at:

• Ipswich Academy
• Portman Road (Ipswich Town FC)

An additional 3G FTP is provided at Whitton Sports Centre; however, this is slightly under full size (90 x 55 metres).

Furthermore, there is currently one small-sided 3G FTP centre at Goals Soccer Centre. This hosts ten 30 x 20 metre pitches and one 40 x 30 metre pitch.

The majority of the existing 3G FTPs are available for community use, with the exception of the pitch at Portman Road. This is reserved for use by the Club and is unlikely to be made available in the future. It has therefore been discounted from the supply and demand calculations. The pitch at Whitton Sports Centre is not on the FA register for 3G FTPs (meaning it has not been quality checked and cannot be used for match play). It is strongly recommended that the pitch is assessed and placed on the register, although quality improvements are likely to be required in order to enable this.

As Ipswich is currently without a PPS, demand for full size 3G FTPs has been calculated using the FA training ratio model (1:38). On the basis that there are 326 teams in the Borough, there is a current shortfall of six full size pitches (discounting the pitch at Portman Road).

The geographic spread of existing facilities is uneven, with gaps existing throughout the Borough despite high levels of population. As a result, local consultation reveals common issues with low availability, long travel distances, no community access and a lack of match play on 3G. It is recommended that these are addressed. Numerous large clubs are currently training on unsuitable surfaces and/or at undesirable times.

Eight priority projects for potential investment are identified. Broken down, this equates to one project to resurface an existing small-sided pitch (at Whitton Sports Centre) and seven new, full size pitch projects. Six of these are included to address the current identified shortfall, with a seventh included to potentially cater for increased demand as a result of population increases derived from the proposed Garden Suburb development. For this long-term project, demand should be regularly monitored. Partner club users are still to be identified, and therefore the impact on and of other 3G pitches should be considered before finalising the proposal.

In relation to alleviating current shortfalls, five of the six projects are site specific and have been chosen as preferred options due to their location and the level of demand that can be accommodated. The remaining project is to satisfy Whitton United FC. A preferred site could not be agreed upon as part of the consultation process, with options including the Club's home site - King George V Playing Field - or the creation of an additional pitch at Whitton Sports Centre.

It must be noted that due to its location, the project at Ipswich Wanderers FC (SEH Sports & Social Club) will likely satisfy some demand from East Suffolk as well as Ipswich. The site straddles the border and will be able to accommodate teams from both authorities. Usage should be monitored to ensure appropriate levels of demand are being catered for and to ensure no further provision is required in the locality.

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 quality 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.

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

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

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

For more information click here.

PitchPower

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

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

Learn more by clicking here.

There are currently 14 grass pitch sites in Ipswich with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance), containing 64 grass pitches. Of these, two are considered to have good quality pitches, seven are of standard quality and five are of poor quality.

Local consultation shows common issues with poor quality, overuse and low availability and it is recommended that these are addressed. Numerous large clubs, such as Ipswich Wanderers FC, are currently spread across multiple locations and have aspirations for at least the majority of their demand to be based from one site.

Of the 14 key pitch sites referenced above it was determined that nine of these should be prioritised for improvements. This will result in quality improvements to 41 pitches.

Nine priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced through consultation with the steering group as well as clubs and leagues before being ratified by local partners. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition as well as sites with the most pitches and that are most well utilised (or that have the potential to be most well utilised).

In addition, some sites have been identified for grass pitch improvements in order to support and compliment 3G projects.

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

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

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

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

Of the 14 key grass pitch sites in Ipswich with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance), seven sites have suitable changing rooms, five sites require improvement or replacement and two sites require new changing facilities.

For the sites requiring new provision, both are currently serviced by changing rooms but the facilities are multi-purpose, with aspirations held for dedicated clubhouses to be created to service the grass pitches as well as to support the creation of 3G pitches. This relates to Copleston Centre and Gainsborough Sports & Community Centre.

Seven priority projects for potential investment are identified. This consists of five sites requiring refurbishment and two sites requiring new builds.

Both sites requiring new builds have existing provision; however, it is not best located or at the best standard for the football pitches. As such, dedicated pavilions should be sought at both Copleston Centre and Gainsborough Sports & Community Centre, particularly given the 3G proposals at the sites.

Similarly, potential 3G provision at Ipswich Wanderers FC (SEH Sports & Social Club) and Whitton Sports Centre is a contributing factor as to why refurbishment is required.

At the remaining three sites (Bourne Vale Sports Club, Inspire Suffolk and King George V Playing Field), quality is considered to be poor. Whilst general improvements are necessary, emphasis should also be placed on improving the catering and social space, if feasible.

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 indicates that, at present, no indoor facilities require improvement to develop small sided football. That being said, it is a priority for the County FA to develop a localised futsal offer, with all Ipswich based demand currently participating outside of the Borough. Suitable facilities should therefore be explored. The Council also reports an aspiration for existing indoor facilities to be improved to better accommodate football, such as at primary schools.

Nine potential opportunities for MUGAs have been identified. In most cases, the rationale is based on the site being in an area of high urban population and with relatively high proportions of people from lower social economic groups and/or with high levels of anti-social behaviour as well as corresponding high local demand for informal football.

Whilst this is a large number of projects, it is considered warranted due to the communities that will be targeted, partners that will be involved and the outcomes that could be achieved. Nevertheless, it is accepted that delivering this number may not be possible, especially in the short-term. In addition, the creation of additional 3G pitches identified within this plan could satisfy certain needs and outcomes. As such, further discussions are required in order to potentially re-evaluate what is required and prioritise.

One of the projects is for a recreational football facility to be tied into the proposed Garden Suburb Development. It is likely that the development will include the creation of schools, an NHS facility and a community centre that could all be utilised as a host venue and provide a user base.

Whilst not leading to any specific projects, it must also be noted that Ipswich has high levels of obesity in both adults and children, with levels doubling in some areas for children from reception through to year 6. In total, nine primary schools operate above the national average for excess weight at reception age and eight operate above the national average at year 6 age. Priority schools include Gainsborough, Gipping, Priory Heath, Westgate and Whitton primaries.

Furthermore, consultation identified that the Council is committed to making Ipswich a dementia friendly town. The creation of MUGAs should therefore take this into consideration where it is required.

Following local consultation, three locations have been identified to support small sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on highly popular local parks and open green spaces with suitable space / areas to increase informal football. Ipswich Borough Council operates and funds a "Jumpers for Goalposts" scheme which these projects could help facilitate.

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:

• Operations Manager (Sport & Leisure) - Ipswich Borough Council
• Sport & Leisure Services Manager - Ipswich Borough Council
• Community Engagement Officer - Ipswich Borough Council
• Health and Well-being Manager - Ipswich Borough Council
• Lead Provider - Suffolk County Council
• Director - Active Suffolk
• School Games Organiser - Active Suffolk
• Schools Development Manager - Ipswich Town Community Trust
• Centre Operational Manager - Inspire Suffolk
• General Manager - Ipswich Sports Club
• Head of Business Operations - Suffolk Mind
• Chief Executive - Community Action Suffolk
• Centre Manager - Befriending Scheme
• Engagement Team - One Life Suffolk
• Development Officer - Positive Futures
• Strategic Lead for Physical Activity - Public Health Suffolk
• Neighbourhood & Partnership Team - Suffolk Constabulary
• Programme Manager - YMCA
• Ipswich Sunday League
• Suffolk & Ipswich League
• Suffolk iCAN Football League
• Achilles FC
• Bourne Vale Youth FC
• Chantry Grasshoppers FC
• Coplestonians FC
• Ipswich Exiles FC
• Ipswich Phoenix FC
• Ipswich Valley Rangers FC
• Whitton United FC