Local Football Facility Plan Lichfield

Lichfield is in the West Midlands region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 103,507. This is expected to rise to 106,998 by 2039.

27.9% of the Lichfield population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups) which is slightly lower than the national average of 30.6%.

Lichfield’s ethnic composition is primarily White (96.8%) and this is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Lichfield’s population represented by the BAME community is 3.2%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

Local Authority

Lichfield Council’s physical activity and sport strategy 2016-20 commits it to a vision of 'enriching Lichfield district through sport and physical activity', and the following objectives.

• Young People - young people across the District are having positive experiences of sport and physical activity, building habits for life, and achieving more
• Reduced Inequalities - engaging those that would benefit the most in being more active to reducing inequalities in participation between different social groups
• Economic Benefit - demonstrable and recognised value of sport and physical activity towards the economy and improved health and wellbeing
• Dynamic Partners - an engaged and empowered network of people and organisations working towards this common goal
• Reduced Inactivity and a Healthier Population - a reduction in inactivity levels in turn contributing towards health improvement of the population
• More coherent and successful communities – communities that play together and are more active together are more likely to be more tolerant.

The local authority's most recent Playing Pitch Strategy was completed in 2012 under the old (towards a level playing field) methodology. It is not considered to be valid for the purposes of the LFFP.

County Football Association

Lichfield is covered by Staffordshire 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.

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 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 Lichfield.

Local leisure operator

Leisure centres in Lichfield have recently been outsourced to a not for profit trust - (Freedom Leisure). Freedom Leisure currently operates two key sites (Burntwood and Friary Grange leisure centres). Burntwood LC has a full size 3G FTP. King Edward VI Sports Centre is operated by King Edward VI School and is not part of the leisure management contract. The centre has a sand dressed AGP.

Local consultation

This has taken place with the following community groups in Lichfield. Five individuals (representing four local organisations) were consulted. These include:

• Lichfield District Council
• Chasetown FC
• Chasetown Youth FC
• Mercia Juniors FC

(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. Lichfield has a total of 149 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 Lichfield, six clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

• Burntwood Dragons & Phoenix FC - 25 teams
• Chasetown FC - 38 teams
• Lichfield City FC - 26 teams
• Lichfield Round Table FC - 10 teams
• Mercia Juniors FC - 10 teams
• Whittington FC - 26 teams

Five leagues operate in Lichfield. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, youth and adults. While there are no specific league opportunities for disability within Lichfield, there is however suitable provision provided in neighbouring areas including South Staffordshire and Stafford.

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

Lichfield & District Recreational League

Lichfield, Walsall & District Sunday League

Staffordshire County Senior League

Staffordshire Girls & Ladies League

Tamworth Junior Football League

The County FA reports that there is some cross boundary migration in Lichfield due to teams migrating outwards to the Burton Junior Youth League and Mid Staffs Junior League.

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 Lichfield there are four 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.

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. Lichfield has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 5 , Lichfield’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 Staffordshire Girls & Ladies League and matches are played on a home and away and central venue basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Staffordshire Girls & Ladies League and matches are played on a home and away basis and the league is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) are Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. which are located in the local area . Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. The most local Women’s Super League team is Birmingham City Ladies FC which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

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 & 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:

Leisure Leagues (Burntwood Leisure Centre)

Leisure Leagues (Friary Grange Leisure Centre)

Leisure Leagues (King Edward Leisure Centre)

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 Lichfield. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for male, female, youth and adult 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 three FA Just Play Centres in Lichfield. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Lichfield District Council. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development . Other local recreational football programmes include an 11v11 flexi league at Lichfield City FC.

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 Lichfield is played across all areas of the Borough. Friary Grange, King Edward and Burntwood leisure centres are key site locations that are heavily used.

The key strengths of local football in Lichfield include Mini Soccer, Youth and Youth Female provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include Disability and Female Adult football.

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

1. Growth in Disability Football
2. Growth in Adult Female Football
3. Sustaining Adult Male Football
4. Sustaining Mini Soccer and Youth Football
5. Futsal development

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 Lichfield. 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.

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.

FA data states that there are currently three 3G FTPs in Lichfield. This is a shortfall of one 3G FTP according to assessed demand and consultation with local partners. Specifically, there is significant latent demand from existing junior clubs such as Burntwood Dragons and Chasetown Youth.

Existing 3G FTPs in Lichfield are:

• Burntwood Leisure Centre.
• Rawlett Leisure Centre.
• Brownsfield Park.

Each of the three pitches are available for community use. One pitch (Burntwood Leisure Centre) is 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 two remaining pitches are on the register to enable more match play on 3G.

The geographical spread of existing facilities is even; two of the three pitches are located in the main population centres of Lichfield (Central) and Burntwood (West). The third pitch is located at Rawlett LC which is within the Lichfield boundary but is on the border with Tamworth. As such, it predominantly serves Tamworth teams rather than those from Lichfield.

Two 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- Burntwood or Lichfield- new 11 v 11 3G FTP (location to be determined)

• Existing facilities: n/a
• Current users: n/a
• Rationale: Significant latent junior team demand expressed from Burntwood Phoenix , Burntwood Dragons and Chasetown Youth - currently dispersed over several grass pitch venues. The facility would accommodate potential participation growth in: junior, senior and women and girls football, over 50s participation, recreational football, disability football and among people from lower socio-economic groups.

2- Rawlett Leisure Centre - resurface of 11 v 11 3G FTP

• Existing facilities: 1 x full size 11 v 11 FTP
• Current users: Gillway FC, adult 6- a-side leagues.
• Rationale: FTP originally installed in 2009 and in need of replacement. The facility would accommodate potential participation growth in: junior, senior and women and girls football, over 50s participation, recreational football, disability football and among people from lower socio-economic groups.

3- Hospital Rd - New build 5 x 5 FTP

• Existing facilities: 4 x grass pitches
• Current users: Burntwood Phoenix FC
• Rationale: Small sided FTP to support Burntwood Phoenix. Potential participation growth in informal and recreational football.

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.

PitchFinder data indicates that there are currently ten grass pitch sites in Lichfield with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 36 grass pitches. Local consultation shows common issues with poor quality and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Two priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Each site has two or more full-size pitch equivalents of poor/standard quality. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by local partners . The prioritisation was informed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition strategic focus to improve Local Authority / Club pitches.

3- Hospital Road - works to poor quality grass pitches

• Existing facilities: 4 x grass pitches
• Current users: Burntwood Dragons (10 teams), also Burntwood Phoenix (8 teams)
• Rationale: Poor pitch quality identified by steering group. Potential participation growth in junior & senior football.

4- Friary School - works to poor quality grass pitches

• Existing facilities: 2 x grass pitches
• Current users: Mercia Juniors (8 teams)
• Rationale: Site identified by Mercia Juniors during consultation as requiring improvements grass pitches. Potential participation growth in junior & senior football.

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 10 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Lichfield, eight have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, one has facilities that need improvement/ replacement and one has no facilities and requires a new changing pavilion.

In addition to this , two sites with less than three grass pitches were deemed to be strategically important by the steering group and in need of changing pavilion investment.

Four priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Two projects have three or more full-size pitch equivalents and has either no facilities or was deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion. In addition to this, two sites with less than three full-size pitch equivalents were also included:

4 - The Bypass - new build changing pavilion

• Existing facilities: 3 x grass pitches
• Current users: Whittington JFC, Three Spires JFC.
• Rationale: Key council grass pitch site which currently does not have changing provision. Identified by the steering group as requiring investment. Potential participation growth in junior & senior football.

5 - Burntwood Youth Centre - pavilion refurbishment

• Existing facilities: 3 x grass pitches
• Current users: Midland Soccer Academy
• Rationale: Site identified by steering group as requiring improvement to current changing provision & having potential for bringing additional grass pitches into use. Potential participation growth in junior and senior football.

6- Friary School - pavilion refurbishment

• Existing facilities: 2 x grass pitches
• Current users: Mercia JFC
• Rationale: Site identified by Mercia JFC during consultation as requiring improvement to current changing provision. Potential participation growth in junior and senior football.

7 - Brownsfield Park - new build changing provision

• Existing facilities: 11 v 11 3G FTP
• Current users: Lichfield City FC
• Rationale: Site identified by Staffordshire CFA during consultation as requiring investment in new build changing provision to supplement recently installed 3G FTP . Potential participation growth in junior and senior football.

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.

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

Two potential opportunities for MUGAs have been identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of high urban population , limited green space , high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:

8- Burntwood (site tbc) Provision of MUGA type informal football offer

• Existing facilities: n/a
• Current users : n/a
• Rationale: Potential S106 opportunities linked to housing growth in this locality. Potential participation growth in informal and recreational football.

Following local consultation, one location has been identified to support small-sided informal football.

9- Beacon Park - Provision of MUGA type informal football offer

• Existing facilities: Public park
• Current users: Informal football
• Rationale: Opportunity to link with existing park infrastructure e.g skatepark, café. Potential participation growth in informal and recreational football.

• Secretary - Chasetown FC
• Health & Wellbeing Development Manager - Lichfield District Council
• Leisure Consultant - Lichfield District Council
• Manager - Chasetown Youth FC
• Club representative - Mercia JFC