Local Football Facility Plan Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough is in the North East Region.

The current population of the authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 140,639. This is expected to rise to 141,813 by 2039.

Middlesbrough is ranked the most deprived out of 12 LAs in the region, and 17th out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Middlesbrough's ethnic composition is primarily white (88%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Middlesbrough’s population represented by the BAME community is 12%. This is below the national average (14.6%)

Middlesbrough's overall levels of inactivity (32%) According to Sport England's Active Lives survey are slightly above regional and national levels, however a recent boosted sample recorded inactivity rates in the region of 50% in the North Ormesby (ranked 2nd most deprived ward nationally) and Bramble & Thorntree (ranked 10th) wards.

Local authority

Middlesbrough has an elected mayor , with the current incumbent having come into post in May 2019 on a four year term. He has indicated that town centre regeneration and the combating of crime and anti-social behaviour are two priorities for his office.

Middlesbrough's Local Plan is in the process of being updated. The Council is also in the process of delivering a playing pitch strategy; this is due for adoption in late 2019. It indicates that, alongside a shortfall of three full size 3G FTPs there is an overall deficit in grass pitch provision across the study area, with a need to re-mark senior pitches to account for the growth in junior football.

Middlesbrough is also part of the South Tees Sport England Local Delivery Pilot which is focused on getting inactive active within the top 5% IMD wards of North Ormesby and Bramble & Thorntree. There are four target audiences for the pilot work.

• People suitable for prehabilitation prior to surgery.
• People with Type II Diabetes.
• People accessing community based, commercial weight loss services.
• Health professionals .

County football association

Middlesbrough is covered by the North Riding 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 Middlesbrough FC Foundation runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Everyone Active is the leisure operator in Middlesbrough. It currently runs two centres in the town : Middlesbrough Sports Village which includes a full sized 3G FTP and several small sided 3G FTPs, and the Southlands Centre which includes one full sized FTP.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Middlesbrough . 14 individuals (representing 14 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Teesside Junior Football League
• Everyone Active
• Middlesbrough FC Foundation

(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. Middlesbrough has a total of 236 Junior Teams & 44 Adult Teams which is on a par with 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 Middlesbrough, 8 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Boro Rangers - 56 teams*
• Marton Juniors - 28 teams
• Riverside Juniors - 25 teams
• Kader FC - 24 teams
• Cleveland Juniors - 17 teams
• Prissick Rovers - 16 teams
• North Ormesby Juniors - 13 teams
• Coulby Newham Juniors - 12 teams

* home ground currently in Redcar & Cleveland but has aspirations to move back into Middlesbrough.

Leagues

Seven leagues provide opportunity for clubs and teams to play in Middlesbrough. They cater for many different players, including women and girls, youth and adults. While there is no specific league opportunity for disability football in Middlesbrough, suitable provision is made in neighbouring Redcar & Cleveland. The largest local leagues (2018-19) include:

• Teesside Junior Football Alliance – 775 teams– home and away
• North East Girls League – 45 teams– home and away
• North Riding Football League – 36 teams– home and away

The County FA reports significant cross boundary migration to/from Middlesbrough due to teams playing in the leagues noted above.

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 Middlesbrough there are 10 football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to both grow and sustain this provision. For talented players the FA runs regional centres and England national squads, Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation currently delivers the FA Regional Talent Centre.

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. Middlesbrough has 10 FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow and sustain this activity.

At 83 Middlesbrough’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’ league is the North East Girl's League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. Provision is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the North Riding Womens’ League. It also plays matches on a home and away and expects to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Teesside - located at Teesside University. Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. Middlesbrough Ladies compete in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division (Tier 3) and provide 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

• Middlesbrough Sports Village
• GOALS Teesside

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 13 futsal teams in Middlesbrough, predominantly based at Teesside University. It is a priority for the County FA to both grow and sustain futsal for male/ female/youth/ 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 3 FA Just Play centres in Middlesbrough. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation. 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 Middlesbrough is played particularly in the central and east parts of the local authority. Albert Park & Stewarts Park are key heavily used site locations.

The key strengths of local football in Middlesbrough include Clubs with large team numbers, strong competitive opportunities to play and key organisation providing football development programmes for growth/social impact. it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However gaps in provision do exist these include growing the women and girls game, growing the game for people with disabilities and improving the recreational offer.

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

Male affiliated and regular-recorded recreational players “Increase male footballers in the game by 10%”

Female affiliated and regular-recorded recreational players “Support a doubling of female football via 75% growth”

Disability affiliated and regular-recorded recreational players “Grow participation in disability football by 30%”

Futsal affiliated and regular-recorded recreational players “Ensure affiliated futsal is available across the area

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 Middlesbrough. 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 investment priorities are 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 six full-sized (11 v 11) 3G FTPs in Middlesbrough are located at:

• Middlesbrough (Prissick) Sports Village
• Southlands Leisure Centre
• Acklam Green Centre
• Middlesbrough College
• Teeside University
• Kadar FC

There are also three small-sided 3G FTP centres at:

• Polton Allstars Football Academy (2 x 9 v 9)
• Prissick Sports Village (9 x small sized pitches in various configurations)
• Goals Middlesbrough (4.25 full size equivalent FTP's in 5 x 5 layout)

Middlesbrough BC has completed a PPS assessment and strategy in 2019. This indicates that there is a shortfall of three full size 3G FTPs (based on projected demand to 2034) and presents two potential site options , at the Southlands Leisure Centre and Saltersgill Avenue to deliver the shortfall (one 3G FTP at Southlands and two at Saltersgill albeit one of these being WR compliant) . A key driver in respect of future demand described in the PPS is the potential relocation of Boro Rangers (56 teams) and their probable requirement for a step 5 stadia pitch, which could be delivered at either of the two site options.

Consultation confirmed that both Middlesbrough Council and their leisure operator (Everyone Active) are supportive of a proposal for a new double 3G FTP at the Southlands Centre based on forecasted growth in junior football training demand from teams such as Prissick Rangers and Riverside Utd. Accordingly this change to the PPS scenario is reflected in the project list , however the feasibility of a double, rather than a pitch at Southland's should be tested at project delivery phase.

In addition the Football Foundation funded pitch at Acklam Green will need to be resurfaced due to its age (2006 build). It should also be borne in mind that an additional full sized 3G FTP is planned to be delivered at the MFC foundation facility (Herlingshaw Centre) within 0.5 km of the Middlesbrough boundary in Redcar & Cleveland.

All are available for community use and all, with the exception of the facility at Teeside University are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommended that the University 3G FTP is assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is relatively even with pitches distributed across the more heavily populated northern half of the borough. Local consultation reveals common issues with limited availability and opportunity for match play on 3G and it is recommended that these are addressed .

Three priority projects for potential investment are, thus proposed based upon a rationale of improving 3G FTP access and availability, servicing a substantial local football community and general population and reflecting the high local levels of deprivation and proportion of people from lower social economic groups:

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 12 grass pitch sites in Middlesbrough with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 57 grass pitches. Of these, one is considered to have good quality pitches, nine are of standard quality and two are poor quality. This issues associated with poor pitch quality were confirmed by local consultation and are a priority to address.

Of these 12 sites, five are prioritised . This will result in quality improvements to 19 pitches.

In addition to these five, a further site has been identified at the Beechwood Allotments. This former allotment site can bring a minimum of two pitches into use as playing field provision.

Six priority projects for potential investment are, thus proposed. Prioritisation reflects the strategic focus to improve both local authority and club pitches.

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 12 key grass pitch sites in Middlesbrough with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) nine have suitable changing rooms, one requires improvement/replacement and two have no facilities and require new changing rooms. In addition, the potential 3G FTPs at Southlands and Saltersgill Ave will also require new build changing provision.

Five 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 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.

Two potential opportunities for MUGAs are identified. These will serve areas of significant urban population with limited green space and cater for a relatively high proportion of people from lower social economic groups:

Following local consultation, and assisted by the Sport England Green Spaces Mapping Tool one location has been identified to support small sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on it being a highly popular local park 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:

• Founder/Chairman - Boro Rangers Football Club
• Secretary - North Ormesby Football Club –
• Football League Secretary - Teeside Junior Football Alliance
• Headteacher - Unity City Academy
• Assistant Head Teacher - Trinity Catholic College
• Deputy Director of Programmes Sport, Travel & Public Services - Middlesbrough College
• Head of Sport - Teeside University
• Representative - Cleveland Juniors
• President - Coulby Newham Juniors
• Secretary, Director & Groundsman - Kader FC
• Founder & Director Of Sport - Marton FC
• Middlesbrough Council Parks
• Owner - Active Tees Valley
• Project Lead - Sport England Local Delivery Pilot