Local Football Facility Plan North Tyneside

North Tyneside is located in the North East region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 204,473. This is expected to rise to 213,198 by 2039.

North Tyneside’s ethnic composition is primarily white (96.63%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of North Tyneside’s population represented by the BAME community is 3.37%. This is substantially below the national average (14.6%).

Local authority

The North Tyneside Local Plan establishes a framework for the sustainable growth and development of the Authority up to 2032. The Plan recognises as part of the development of sustainable communities, there is the need for easy access to open space, leisure and recreation facilities.

Along with Northumberland and Newcastle, North Tyneside is one of three local authorities which will form the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) as part of devolution within the North East by 2020. The NTCA will be led by an elected Mayor and will bring new powers to the region; these include having greater control over development of land for economic growth and regeneration. This development is the result of them choosing to break away from the North East Combined Authority (NECA) after a devolution deal involving all seven of the region’s local authorities broke down in 2016.

North Tyneside Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the period 2013-2023 sets out the key joint priorities to transform the delivery of health and social care services, but also investment in other services such as housing and leisure. It outlines key interventions which include; targeted community health living programmes, increasing physical exercise and mental well-being activities and social and volunteering activity.

The Authority Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) was adopted in 2013 and is therefore due for renewal. The key findings and stated overarching priorities of the 2013 PPS are to; improve the quality of existing playing pitch stock, ancillary facilities and the provision of more all weather facilities.

County football association

North Tyneside is covered by Northumberland 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). The Newcastle United Foundation runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

North Tyneside Council is the key leisure operator in North Tyneside. It currently runs multiple key sites including:

• The Parks Leisure Centre (five 5v5 3G FTPs)
• Hadrian Leisure Centre (one full-sized 3G FTP)
• The Lakeside Centre
• Tynemouth Pool
• Waves

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in North Tyneside. 22 individuals (representing 17 local organisations) were spoken to. Agencies consulted include:

• Percy Hedley Centre
• Westmoor Community Centre
• YMCA North Tyneside
• Pinpoint Recruitment Leagues
• Newcastle United Foundation
• Parks Leisure Centre
• Monkseaton High School

(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 Tyneside has a total of 326 teams, which is higher than local areas of a similar size.

The FA is investing to support clubs both on and off the pitch; this 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 Tyneside, seven clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

• North Shields Juniors - 46 teams
• Whitley Bay Sporting Club - 45 teams
• Wallsend Boys Club Juniors - 34 teams
• Cullercoats FC - 15 teams
• Wideopen & District Juniors - 19 teams

Eighteen leagues operate in North Tyneside. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, youth and adults.

North Tyneside's largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

• Northumberland Junior Sunday Football League – 425 teams – home and away
• Northumberland Mini Soccer League – 321 teams – central venue at multiple sites
• Northumberland Junior Saturday Football League – 175 teams– home and away and central venue
• Northern League – 2 Divisions - 20 teams (across northern counties)
• Northern Football Alliance League – 3 Divisions - 48 teams (across northern counties)
• Tyneside Amateur League – 1 Division - 13 teams
• Cramlington Sunday League – 2 Divisions - 19 teams
• North East Sunday League - 3 Divisions - 32 teams

The County FA reports that cross-boundary migration from North Tyneside is due to local teams playing in the Russell Foster and Apollo Doors Leagues in Durham and the Pinpoint Leagues in Northumberland.

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 Tyneside 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 runs regional centres and England national squads. For talented players the FA runs regional centres and England national squads. A participation league is delivered on a monthly fixture basis at Cramlington Learning Village (Northumberland), delivered by Newcastle United Foundation and the Pinpoint Leagues. A specific girls league is delivered monthly at Walker Activity Dome (Newcastle) as part of the Disability Workforce Fund programme.

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 Tyneside has seven FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 21, North Tyneside’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 Pinpoint Recruitment Junior Girls’ League in which matches are played on a home and away and central venue basis. It is expected to grow its
provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Pinpoint Recruitment Women’s League; its matches are played on a home and away basis and it too is expected to grow provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Sunderland which is located in the Durham County FA 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 Durham Wildcats which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small-sided football

Many different types of small-sided football are played in England, from teams and leagues to recreational and informal. It is an established and important part of the modern game.

Small-sided teams and leagues are organised and competitive activities; typically with players registered to clubs and affiliated to leagues and their county FAs. Examples include Futsal and local small-sided leagues running at venues such as sports halls, 3G FTPs or small-sided 3G centres.

Key local providers include:

• Newcastle United Foundation (various locations)
• The Parks North Tyneside
• Evolution Football (former JJB Soccerdome)

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 Futsal is available across the country.

There are currently four Futsal teams in North Tyneside that play in the local League at key site locations including Blue Flames Sporting Club (Northumberland). It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for all players.

Recreational football

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

There are currently six FA Just Play Centres in the Northumberland FA area, but over 30 additional turn up and play activities across the County. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Newcastle United Foundation, Sport North Tyneside, as well as some private providers. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include Friday Night 11’s, a new Veterans League (2019) and the KICKS Programme which are delivered by a range of organisations including Newcastle United Foundation, Northumberland FA and Goals Newcastle.

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 Tyneside with are range of key sites utilised for delivery, both private and publicly owned (The Parks and Evolution Soccer).

The key strengths of local football in North Tyneside include mini soccer, youth male & female and provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, there are aspects of football provision that are lower than local authorities of a similar size, these include adult male & female participation.

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

1. Additional 3G FTP facilities
2. Improvement in natural turf pitches across the Authority area
3. Additional recreation spaces
4. Limited number of clubhouse/changing pavilions

The facilities required to assist this are now set out in the Assets and opportunities section.

Additionally, priority projects that progress 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 Tyneside. 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 authority 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.

FA data states that there are currently five full-sized (11v11) 3G FTPs in North Tyneside. On the basis that there are 326 teams requiring access to 3G FTP provision in North Tyneside, with 38 teams able to be accommodated per 11v11 3G FTP, there is a requirement for nine 11v11 3G FTPs for affiliated team training across the district. With a sixth 11v11 3G FTP already under construction at Wallsend Boys Club, this represents a shortfall of four pitches relative to demand.

Existing full-sized 3G FTPs in North Tyneside include:

• Burnside Business and Enterprise College
• John Spence Community High School
• Valley Gardens Middle School
• Darsley Park (Newcastle United Training Ground)
• Longbenton Sports Ground
• Wallsend Boys Club (under construction)

Additionally, there are currently two small-sided 3G FTP centres in North Tyneside:

• Evolution Soccer (x10)
• Parks Leisure Centre (x4)

Four of the five pitches are available for community use, however capacity at Longbenton Sports Ground is reduced due to the site being used by the University of Newcastle. Darsley Park is the training ground of Newcastle United and therefore does not offer community access.

Two pitches (John Spence Community High School and Valley Gardens Middle School) are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommend that the two other community accessible pitches are assessed and placed on the register to enable more match play on 3G.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is fairly even; they are located in the south, east and west of the Authority. There are provision gaps in the North West and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Local consultation reveals common issues with high pricing and low availability and it is recommended that these too are addressed.

Seven priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Undersupply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model. Each site was selected based upon a rationale encompassing good access, high population, geographic spread and the quality of existing facilities:

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 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 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.

Often 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 27 key grass pitch sites in North Tyneside with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain a total of 85 grass pitches. Of the 27 sites, 12 are considered to have good quality pitches while the pitches at the other 15 are of standard/poor quality.

Local consultation confirms the poor quality of many pitches at local authority managed sites, a view which is endorsed by the Council which reports that the extent of maintenance works and personnel resource has reduced significantly over recent years.

Northumberland FA previously set up the Pitch Perfect pilot scheme in 2015 in partnership with selected clubs and leagues to support them with grass pitch maintenance. This was supported by the Football Foundation and established with the help of Northumberland County Council's Social Enterprise team, although the scheme covers sites in all three Northumberland FA local authority areas. As part of the initiative, a range of new grounds maintenance equipment was bought from two local companies, to assist those working with limited resources and training delivered to club volunteers responsible. The aim of the scheme was to provide supplementary maintenance to clubs within local communities, with a view to extending to incorporate a wider network of sites in the longer term. Pitch Perfect is case study example of how County FAs and partners may have to think differently about pitch maintenance challenges and develop innovative and new solutions to existing issues.

Fifteen priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Due to the significant number of grass pitch sites in North Tyneside not all sites have been earmarked and the 15 that have been prioritised contain 45 full-size pitch equivalents. The process was informed by local partners and based upon a rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition, that had the most pitches or were important in servicing local 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 ahead of 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 priority projects as they progress to an application to the Football Foundation.

Of the 26 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in North Tyneside (or with fewer than three pitches but of strategic importance), 17 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, two have facilities that need improvement/ replacement, five have no facilities and require a new changing pavilion and two have no facilities but do not require them.

In addition to projects identified at existing sites, new changing facilities will be required should a full-sized 3G FTP be developed at land off A192 over the Northumberland border.

Eight priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Each either currently has no changing facilities or was deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion.

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 identifies 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, CM Leisure at Marden Bridge, that requires improvement to its six court sports hall to develop small-sided football, including futsal.

Six potential project opportunities for MUGAs have been identified, with one site at Howden Community Centre having two MUGAs. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of high urban population, with limited green space, high levels of deprivation, a high proportion of people from lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football.

Following local consultation, three locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on highly popular local parks and open green spaces with suitable space / areas to increase informal football.

• North Tyneside Council - Senior Manager Sports and Leisure
• North Tyneside Council - Operations Manager - Sports Development and Outdoor Sport and Leisure Facilities
• North Tyneside Council - Operations Manager (Horticulture and Parks)
• University of Newcastle - Facilities Service Manager
• University of Newcastle - Director of Sport
• Northumbria University - Sport Experience Manager
• Northumbria University - Sport Engagement Manager
• Forest Hall Young Peoples Club - Secretary
• Whitley Bay Sporting Club - Secretary
• Percy Hedley Centre - PE Tutor
• Newcastle United Foundation - Operations Manager
• Westmoor Community Centre - Centre Manager
• Monkseaton High School - Head Coach
• Parks Leisure Centre - Operations Manager
• Pinpoint Recruitment League U19 Football
• Pinpoint Recruitment League Junior Saturday League
• Rising Sun Sports Ground User Forum - Secretary
• Evolution Football - Founder
• Wideopen AFC Juniors - Secretary
• YMCA North Tyneside - Business Development Manger
• Northumberland CFA - Disability Football Development Officer
• George Stephenson High School - Curriculum Leader PE