Local Football Facility Plan North Hertfordshire

North Hertfordshire is in the South-East region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 133,321. This is expected to rise to 152,221 by 2039.

North Hertfordshire is ranked 39 out of 47 LAs in the region, and 271 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

North Hertfordshire's ethnic composition is primarily white (90%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of the North Hertfordshire population represented by the BAME community is 10%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

Local authority

North Hertfordshire Council Corporate Plan's (2019-24) vision is to make North Hertfordshire a vibrant place for people to live, work and prosper. To achieve this, the Authority has set out three key objectives, which are to:

• Work with partners to provide an attractive and safe environment for all residents, where diversity is welcomed and the disadvantaged are supported
• Promote sustainable growth both within and wherever it affects our District to ensure economic and social opportunities exist for all communities, whilst remaining mindful of the Authority's cultural and physical heritage.
• Ensure that the Council delivers cost effective and necessary services to our residents that are responsive to the developing needs of residents.

To provide an attractive environment, the Authority is committed to working with leisure providers, schools and strategic partners (including Sport England) to ensure that all residents are offered the opportunity to increase activity to prevent long term ill health.

The research for the Authority Playing Pitch Strategy was undertaken in 2016 but it was not adopted till 2018. The Strategy highlighted that, at the time of publication, there was a negative supply demand balance of 3G FTPs despite the fact that four are available to the community. The PPS did however suggest that areas which could be considered for future 3G FTP investment include Letchworth (Hertfordshire FA stadia 3G) , Hitchin and Knebworth.

County football association

North Hertfordshire is covered by the Hertfordshire 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). Stevenage FC Foundation delivers a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area. These include walking football at Letchworth Sports Centre and also Wildcat sessions in Hitch1n and Letchworth.

Local leisure operator

Stevenage Leisure Ltd is the key leisure operator in North Hertfordshire. It currently manages three key sites sports centres; at Royston, Hitchin and Letchworth (North Hertfordshire Leisure Centre). There are no football 3G facilities at any of the three sites, however, the sports hall at Letchworth is used for walking football.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in North Hertfordshire. 21 individuals (representing local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• North Hertfordshire Council
• Hitchin Sunday League
• A number of parish/town councils- see appendix for full list
• A range of football clubs- see appendix for full list

(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. North Hertfordshire has a total of 306 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 North Hertfordshire, ten clubs have more than 10 registered teams. They are, based upon 2018-1 affiliation data:

• Ashwell Academicals - 10 teams
• Baldock Town FC- 24 teams
• FC Comets - 14 teams
• Hitchin Belles - 17 teams
• Hitchin Town FC -37 teams
• Knebworth FC - 25 teams
• Lea Sports PSG - 14 teams
• Letchworth Garden City Eagles - 55 teams
• Royston Town - 43 teams
• Codicote Youth FC - 10 teams

Leagues

19 leagues operate across the county of Hertfordshire. They offer competitive opportunity for many different players, including girls, disability, youth and adults. There are suitable arrangements for women’s football via a combined county Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Women’s League that hosts 20 Hertfordshire teams.The leagues which presently operate across the county are:

• East Herts Corinthian League – 57 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday morning.
• Escolla Junior League – 4 teams–Futsal League
• Garston Vets Over 35s League – 12 teams. Vets League
• Hertford & District ORC Sports Football League– 32 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday morning
• Hertfordshire Development League – 166 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday morning for U7-U11 age groups, with festivals throughout the season for certain age groups.
• Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League – 257 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday morning for youth teams, with festivals for certain age groups throughout the season
• Herts Advertiser Sunday Football League – 45 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday morning.
• Herts Senior County League – 59 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday afternoon.
• Hitchin Sunday League – 33 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday morning
• Mid Herts Rural Minors League – 756 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday or Sunday for Youth teams
• Mid Herts Vets Football League – 15 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday
• Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League – 36 teams– U18s home and away fixtures during midweek
• Terry Reed North West Essex Sunday League – 18 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday
• The Hertfordshire and Borders Churches Football League – 13 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday
• The TrophyUK.net Royston Crow Youth Football League – 409 teams– home and away youth fixtures on a Saturday or Sunday
• Watford Friendly League – 616 teams– home and away Youth fixtures on a Sunday
• Watford Sunday Football League – 43 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday
• West Herts Saturday League – 19 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday
• West Herts Youth League – 554 teams– home and away Youth fixtures on a Sunday.

The County FA also reports some cross boundary migration to/from neighbouring Bedfordshire, Middlesex, Cambridgeshire, Essex and London.

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 North Hertfordshire there are two football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a County FA priority 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. North Hertfordshire Council has five FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 23, North Hertfordshire’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 Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League in which matches are played on a central venue basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire County Women’s League. It too plays matches on a home and away basis and is expected to sustain its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Arsenal Ladies. Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. The nearest Women’s Super League team is Arsenal FC, whilst Stevenage Women’s FC plays in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 and Watford FC Ladies plays in the FA WPL Premier Division (South]. All three clubs 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 in the County include:

• Railway Friendly Flexi League
• Herts 6s at Westfield Academy & Wodson Park
• Futsal 5s (Herts at Longdean School and The Hemel Hempstead School
• Youth Futsal Series at Longdean School and The Hemel Hempstead School
• Ultimate Football at Monks Walk School
• Roundwood Park Vets League at Roundwood Park School

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 43 futsal teams in Hertfordshire which play in ad-hoc tournaments and one-off events delivered by Hertfordshire FA, Regional Youth Futsal Series and Leagues at key site locations including University of Hertfordshire, Ridgeway Academy, Aldenham Sports Centre, Ashlyns School, Longdean School, The Hemel Hempstead School, Clement Danes School, Hitchin Girls School and The Royal Masonic School. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for 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 two FA Just Play centres in North Hertfordshire, however, it is anticipated that one will be delivered and recorded in place for July 2020. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations such as Stevenage FC Foundation and supported by North Hertfordshire Council. Other local recreational football programmes include Herts 6s and community-based projects delivered by a range of organisations including Herts Sports Partnership, Watford CSE Trust & Stevenage FC Foundation.

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 north Hertfordshire is played particularly at a variety of sites across the Authority area.

The key strength of local football in North Hertfordshire has been club growth and development. This had led to five clubs having 20+ teams and it is recommended that it is further encouraged. However, there are issues one of which is the conversion rate for male and female youth teams/players into adult teams and the need to increase the number of activities for those with a disability.It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for North Hertfordshire are:

1. Increase the number of senior adult male football teams.
2. Increase the number of adult female football teams.
3. Support the transition of youth teams/players into adult football.
4. Increase the range of recreational programmes across the area.
5. Increase the provision of activities those with a disability, be this through an increase in the number of teams or recreational football opportunity.

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 North Hertfordshire. 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 is 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.

Existing full-sized (11 v 11) 3G FTPs in North Hertfordshire are located at:

• King James Academy (Royston) (1),
• The Arena (Hitchin) (1),
• Knights Templar School (1),
• Hertfordshire FA (1),
• North Hertfordshire College (0.5)*

* North Hertfordshire College has a full sized 3G FTP, however, it is only available till 20.00, due to a planning restriction. Consequently, it is deemed to offer the same capacity as a 60*40 FTP (0.5 full sized pitch equivalent).

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

• Lordship Farm School 5v5 FTP (0.25)
• Kingshott School 5v5 FTP (0.25)

The North Hertfordshire PPS calculation for 3G FTPs applied the old training demand model calculation. The calculation presented in the document is, thus, out of date. In addition, small sided provision was not included within the total supply calculation. It did, however, make site recommendations to address future demand, which included a 3G pitch at Hertfordshire FA. This project was completed in 2019.

Using the 1:38 ratio and current (2018/2019) affiliation data, there is deemed to be a need for 8.5 full-sized pitch equivalent 3G FTPs. This means that there is a current shortfall of 3.5 full sized 3G FTPs (accounting for North Hertfordshire College as a 0.5 full sized pitch equivalent).

North Hertfordshire College is currently selling some of its land for housing, with funding being used to reposition the 3G so it can increase its community use (these contributions are also paying for a second pitch at the Priory). The College is currently undertaking a masterplan to identify possible options for the re-positioning of the pitch. This will allow the pitch use to be extended to 9pm, which would effectively increase capacity to one full sized pitch equivalent. It is anticipated that planning will be submitted early in 2020, resulting in the overall shortfall of 3G FTPs in the Authority reducing to three.

All current pitches listed above are available for community use, although the pitch at North Herts College, as noted earlier, has restricted hours of use due to a planning condition. Only one pitch (Hertfordshire FA) is on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning it is quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommended that the remaining pitches are assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G.

In a geographic context, 3G FTPs are located in the key areas of population, including Hitchin, Letchworth/Baldock, and Royston. The only main provision gap is in the south (around Knebworth). Although the key settlements are serviced by community available 3G FTPs, consultation indicates that current demand is far outstripping supply, with all sites currently operating at capacity.

It is recommended that additional provision is required in all three key areas plus additional provision in the south, supporting teams in and around Knebworth.

Four priority projects for potential investment are identified, these include three full sized 3G FTPs and a small sided 3G FTP in the south of the Authority. Proposed projects are, thus, selected based upon a rationale of good access, high population, geographic spread, and high levels of affiliated 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 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 13 grass pitch sites in North Hertfordshire with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 48 grass pitches. Of these, four sites are considered to have good quality pitches and nine are of either standard or poor quality.

Local consultation confirms common issues with poor quality pitches, particularly around the towns of Hitchin/Letchworth and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Of the 13 key pitch sites referenced above it was determined that nine should be prioritised for improvement. This will result in quality improvements to 28 pitches:

Nine priority projects for potential investment are identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by the PPS and ratified by local partners. Prioritisation is based on a rationale of selecting sites rated standard or poor quality from the PPS which are of strategic importance for club and league 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 13 key grass pitch sites in North Hertfordshire with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance), four have suitable changing rooms, two require improvement/replacement and seven have no facilities and require new provision.

Nine 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 reveals two indoor facilities that require investment to develop small-sided football; the Priory School and King James Academy. Both have or are in the process of developing 3G FTPs. Alongside the investment in sports halls, these sites could become football hubs. This will support the CFA's priority to grow participation in futsal.

Two potential opportunities for MUGAs are identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of high demand for recreational football, which could be supported by organisations able to deliver activities at these sites.

Local consultation indicates that, at present, no parks and open green spaces require improvement to develop small sided 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:

North Herts Council - Leisure Manager

North Herts Council - Green Spaces Manager

Royston Town FC - Chairman

Letchworth FC- Chairman

Letchworth Heritage Trust- Project Manager

Knebworth FC - Chairman

Priory School- Headteacher

Fernhill School- Business Manager

North Herts College- Business Manager

Lea Sports PSG- Chairman

Bowley Parish Council- Parish Clerk

North Herts School Sports Partnership- PDM

Hitchin Town FC- Chairman

Ashwell Academicals -Chairman

Hitchin Belles -Chairman

FC Coments -Chairman

Codicote Youth FC- Chairman

Highfield School -Business Manager

Kimpton Parish Council- Parish Clerk

Letchworth Garden City Eagles - Chairman

Hitchin Sunday League- League secretary