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This is the Local Football Facility Plan (LFFP) for North East Derbyshire . It was prepared by Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP) with support from local partners, including:
Every local area in the Country will have a LFFP to enable investment in football facilities to be accurately targeted.
The Football Association, the Premier League and Sport England (on behalf of Government). This partnership finances the National Football Facility Strategy (NFFS) and commissions the Football Foundation to deliver it.
The national funding partners have significantly increased investment to accelerate efforts to deliver more and better football facilities for the grassroots game. The purpose of this plan is to identify the priority projects for potential investment in North East Derbyshire.
As the nation’s most popular team sport, football has the power to contribute positively to vital social outcomes and health priorities. To maximise this power, facilities have to be welcoming environments to attract first-time users and repeat visits, whether for informal, recreational or competitive football.
Research clearly and continually demonstrates the positive impact high-quality football facilities, in the right locations, can have on participation and enjoyment. Latent demand exists, but facility quantity and quality has to ‘step up’ if football is to reach out to everyone.
£1.3billion has been spent by football and Government since 2000 to enhance existing football facilities and build new ones. However, more is needed if football and Government’s shared objectives for participation, individual well-being and community cohesion are to be achieved.
Nationally, direct investment will be increased – initially to £69 million per annum from football and Government (a 15% increase on recent years). Locally, the work has already started* - this LFFP will guide the allocation of 90% of national funds and forge stronger partnerships with local stakeholders to develop key sites. This, together with local match-funding will deliver over one billion pounds of investment into football facilities over the next ten years.
This LFFP, with guidance from local partners, has developed a list of high level projects for potential investment. Each is aligned to the investment priorities set out in the National Football Facilities Strategy, which include:
The priority projects for potential investment identified in this plan will help develop a sustainable network of quality facilities to drive participation across all parts of the game. Central to this are five key success factors: quality, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage. Each identified project takes account of these factors.
This LFFP will, in effect, be the go-to document for football facility investment in North East Derbyshire.
Whilst it identifies priority projects for potential investment, it does not guarantee the success of future funding applications. Each project must still follow an application process to show how it will deliver key participation outcomes, become a quality & sustainable facility and demonstrate suitable match-funding.
When each project is in a position to proceed, the Football Foundation will determine a suitable timeframe to submit a grant application and pre-application support will be provided by Derbyshire County FA and the Football Foundation.
A LFFP is an investment portfolio of priority projects for potential investment - it is not a detailed demand and supply analysis of all pitch provision in a local area. It cannot be used as a replacement for a Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) and it will not be accepted as an evidence base for site change of use or disposal.
A LFFP will however build on available/existing local evidence and strategic plans and may adopt relevant actions from a PPS and/or complement these with additional investment priorities.
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North East Derbyshire is in the East Midlands region.
The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 100,780. This is expected to rise to 105,403 by 2039.
33.8% of the North East Derbyshire population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups). This is higher than the national average of 30.6%
North East Derbyshire’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (98.0%) which is much higher than the national average (85.4%).
The proportion of North East Derbyshire’s population represented by the BAME community is 2.0%. This is below the national average (14.6%).
ONS data and Sport England Active lives survey 2016/17
North East Derbyshire Corporate Plan (2015-2019) has a vision that “North East Derbyshire will be a place that is clean and attractive, a place where people are proud to live and work, where they will prosper and are safe, happy and healthy”. To support this vision, the council has four Aims, which are:
The local authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy in place, produced in 2017. The overarching outcomes from the strategy include ensuring that current 3G assets are maintained to high standard to ensure that both pitches remain FA approved. Increased capacity of pitches at key grass pitch sites can be improved through enhanced maintenance regimes and pitch surface improvements. Existing changing pavilion stock is also considered to be poor at several key sites.
The Derbyshire Physical Activity and Sport Strategy (2016-2021) has the vision of ‘more people in Derbyshire engaged in physical activity and sport’, with the ambition of engaging an additional 50,000 people in actives lives by 2021. There will be a focus on addressing the inequalities in physical activity and sport engagement in the following areas: women and girl’s, people from lower social-economic groups and young people aged 5-18.
North East Derbyshire is covered by Derbyshire County FA. They provide 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. There are also a number of North East Derbyshire based teams that are affiliated to Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA.
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.
See Football foundation website for more info (http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes)
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.
There are no professional teams based in North East Derbyshire. On occasion Derby County Community Trust and Chesterfield FC Community Trust provide training sessions and camps within the District. .
North East Derbyshire District Council manage its leisure facilities in house. It currently operates three key sites across the borough at Dronfield, Eckington and Sharley Park. These sites have facilities including: gyms, swimming pools, and sports halls.
This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in North East Derbyshire . 12 individuals (representing eight local organisations) were consulted. These include:
(See Appendix B for full list of consultees).
There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. North-East Derbyshire has a total of 185* teams, which is lower than local areas of a similar size.
*This figure includes 106 teams that are based in North East Derbyshire but are affiliated to Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA.
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 ten years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In North East Derbyshire, three clubs have more than ten registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:
*affiliated to Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA.
The FA Whole Game System- season 2017/18
A number of leagues provide playing opportunities for North-East Derbyshire clubs. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including youth and adults.
While there are no specific league opportunities for disability football within North-East Derbyshire, there is however provision provided in the East Midlands PAN Disability League
North-East Derbyshire largest local leagues (2017-18) include:
The County FA reports that there is significant cross boundary migration in North-East Derbyshire due to teams migrating outwards to the Sheffield & District Junior Football League (Sheffield) and Chesterfield based leagues.
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 North-East Derbyshire there are no 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.
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. North-East Derbyshire has no FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.
At ten, North-East Derbyshire’s number of female teams is lower than local areas of a similar size. The County FA’s priority is to encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls league is the Derbyshire Girls & Ladies League and matches are played on a central venue basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Derbyshire Girls & Ladies League and matches are played on a home and away basis and the league is expected to sustain its provision in future years.
*Dronfield Town Ladies and AFC Dronfield are located within the District but are affiliated Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA.
For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Derby County which is located in Derby City. 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 Manchester City Women FC which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.
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:
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 2 futsal teams in North-East Derbyshire that play in the Chesterfield Futsal League at key site locations including Queen’s Park Sports Centre. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for youth players .
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 North-East Derbyshire. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations such as Dronfield Akademy. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include pro-club community scheme activity which are delivered by a range of organisations including Chesterfield FC Community Trust.
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 North-East Derbyshire is played on MUGAs at Sharley Park Leisure Centre, The Parish Sports Ground at Stonebroom and Parkhouse Green Play area.
The key strengths of local football in North-East Derbyshire include Mini-Soccer provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include the provision of adult and female football, youth provision, disability and Just Play opportunities.
It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for North-East Derbyshire are:
1.Develop female and male youth football provision across the District.
2.Develop Just Play provision across the District.
3.Increase open age male and female teams by working with existing youth teams to develop exit routes into the adult game
4.Work with key local partners (clubs and Local Authority contacts) to develop disability provision in a central part of the District
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.
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This section reviews existing football facility assets in North East Derbyshire. 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:
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 Football Turf Pitches (FTPs)
Improved Grass Pitches
Changing rooms pavilions/ clubhouses
Small-sided facilities
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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 two full size 3G FTPs in North East Derbyshire; this is a shortfall of no pitches relative to assessed demand.
Existing 3G FTPs in North East Derbyshire include:
Additionally, there are currently two small-sided 3G FTP centres in East Derbyshire;
The FTPs at Dronfield Henry Fawshawe School and Gosforth Fields are both available for community use. Both FTPs are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play).
The PPS states “There is current and future demand for two full sized FTPs to service all football training demand in North East Derbyshire which is being met by existing provision. However, both 3G pitches are currently in the North Analysis Area (Dronfield), as this where the majority of teams are based. The significance of this indicates there is no provision for the three remaining analysis area’s, East, South and West. Any future 3G provision, either full or smaller sized pitches, would be best located in one of these areas.”
As per the PPS there is no identified potential current or future shortfall in North East Derbyshire at District wide level. Demand should be reviewed on an annual basis and any potential new 3G FTP sites should be placed where demand is not being met.
Local consultation identifies good levels of availability in relation to training demand, with a number of the larger clubs within North East Derbyshire able to train on 3G FTPs.
No priority projects for potential investment have been identified as current and future demand is being met.
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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 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.
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 & PPS Data indicates that there are currently four grass pitch sites in North East Derbyshire with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 17 grass pitches.
Of these sites, one is considered to have good quality pitches, and the remaining three are rated as standard quality.
Due to the rural nature of North East Derbyshire, two sites with two full size pitch equivalents have been identified as being strategically important to affiliated teams in the area. Travel time to larger three plus pitch sites is not manageable for clubs and these sites offer key hubs for the community. Both sites have two full size pitch equivalents and are rated as standard quality.
Local consultation shows common issues with pitch quality, and it is recommended that these are addressed.
Four priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Two sites have three or more pitches and have a standard pitch quality rating, the two other sites have less than three pitches and also have a standard pitch rating. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS / FA data and qualified by local partners. Due to the significant number of grass pitch sites in North East Derbyshire local partners did not select all sites and prioritised only four, containing 11 full size equivalents. The prioritisation was made by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites that were most well utilised and of strategic focus to improve Local Authority and club pitches:
1 - Eckington School – works to natural grass pitches
2 - Dronfield Gladys Buxton Centre – works to natural grass pitches
3 - Tupton Hall School – works to natural grass pitches
4 - Pilsley Miners Welfare – works to natural grass pitches, equipment bank for club
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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 four key sites with three or more full size pitch equivalents in North East Derbyshire, all have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses. None have no facilities and require a new changing pavilion.
One two pitch site has been identified by local partners as being strategically important. This site has poor quality changing facilities and it is recommended that this is addressed.
One priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. The site has two full size pitches and has either was assessed against a standard criteria to have an unsuitable pavilion. The site has been identified as being strategically important for affiliated football in the area:
4 - Pilsley Miners Welfare – refurbished Changing Pavilion
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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 is one indoor facility that requires improvement to develop small-sided football:
6 - Sharley Park Leisure Centre – refurbished indoor facility (add futsal line markings and equipment bank)
Three potential opportunities for MUGAs have been identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of limited green space , high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:
6 - Sharley Park Leisure Centre – upgrade MUGA
7 - Parkhouse Green Play Area – upgrade MUGA
8 - The Parish Sports Ground at Stonebroom – upgrade MUGA
Following local consultation, no 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.
The majority of key strategic parks (recreation grounds) and open spaces in North East Derbyshire have MUGA’s which are well utilised for informal football. Through consultation findings and consideration from the steering group it was decided that the focus should be on improving the MUGA’s located in these locations:
-Dronfield Sports Centre
-Sharley Park Leisure Centre
-The Parish Sports Ground at Stonebroom
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This list compiles all of the priority projects for potential investment. Each project has been scored against two principle factors: deliverability and outcomes (quality, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage).
The list will be used flexibly; a projects ‘rating’ does not determine the exact order that it will progress to a funding application to the Football Foundation as we understand there are many factors that influence this. The process for moving a project from this list and into the ‘pre-application stage’ will be managed by the Football Foundation.
SHARLEY PARK LEISURE CENTRE MARKET STREET, CLAY CROSS, CHESTERFIELD, Derbyshire, S45 9LX
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.8/4
88% (10.6/12)
IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
PILSLEY MINERS WELFARE PILSLEY MINERS WELFARE RUPERT STREET, LOWER PILSLEY, Derbyshire, S45 8DB
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
3.0/4
67% (8.0/12)
Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
DRONFIELD GLADYS BUXTON CENTRE Oakhill Road, Dronfield, Derbyshire, S18 2EJ
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.7/4
61% (7.3/12)
Youth female; Youth male
TUPTON HALL SCHOOL OLD TUPTON, CHESTERFIELD, Derbyshire, S42 6LG
Education
Medium (2/4)
2.7/4
61% (7.3/12)
Youth female; Youth male
ECKINGTON SCHOOL DRONFIELD ROAD, ECKINGTON, SHEFFIELD, Derbyshire, S21 4GN
Education
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
59% (7.1/12)
Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
THE PARISH SPORTS GROUND AT STONEBROOM Birkinstyle Lane, Stonebroom, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 6LD
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.5/4
59% (7.0/12)
IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
PARKHOUSE GREEN PLAY AREA PILSLEY, , S45 8EF
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.4/4
57% (6.8/12)
IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
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Survey responses were received from the following affiliated clubs:
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