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Local Football Facility Plan Nuneaton and Bedworth

Introduction

01

This is the Local Football Facility Plan (LFFP) for Nuneaton and Bedworth. It was prepared by Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP) with support from local partners, including:

  • Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
  • Birmingham County Football Association
  • Football Foundation
  • Sport England
  • Sky Blues in the Community

What is the goal?

Every local area in the Country will have a LFFP to enable investment in football facilities to be accurately targeted.

Who is behind this?

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.

What is the purpose of this plan?

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 Nuneaton & Bedworth.

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Why invest in football facilities?

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.

How are we going to do it?

£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 10-years.

What are the priorities for investment?

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:

  • 1,000 new 3G football turf pitches (FTPs): in a mix of sizes and settings, dependent upon local needs. All aimed at enhancing the quality of the playing experience.
  • 20,000 improved natural-turf pitches: to help address drop-off due to a poor playing experience.
  • 1,000 new changing pavilions / clubhouses: all linked to priority sites.
  • Small-sided facilities: to grow the small-sided game for teams & leagues, recreational and informal play.

What outcomes will be achieved?

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.

How should this plan be used?

This LFFP will, in effect, be the go-to document for football facility investment in Nuneaton & Bedworth.

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 time frame to submit a grant application and pre-application support will be provided by Birmingham County FA and the Football Foundation.

Set a 10-Year vision to transform local football facilities
Identify priority projects to be delivered
Act as an investment portfolio for projects that require funding
Be updated on a regular basis

How should this plan NOT be used?

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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Nuneaton and Bedworth

02

Local area

Nuneaton & Bedworth is located in the West Midlands region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 128,659. This is expected to rise to 139,600 by 2039.

38.5% of the Nuneaton & Bedworth population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups) which is higher than the national average of 30.6%.

Nuneaton & Bedworth’s ethnic composition is primarily White (91.3%) and this is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Nuneaton & Bedworth's population represented by the BAME community is 8.7%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

Demographics

  • 128,659 Current population (2017)
  • 139,600 Projected population (2039)
  • 8th most deprived out of 30 local authorities in the region
  • 110th most deprived out of 326 local authorities in England

Ethnicity data

  • Asian (6.29%)
  • Black (0.84%)
  • Mixed (1.11%)
  • Other (0.43%)
  • White (91.33%)
34%
30%
26%

% of people that are inactive

  • Nuneaton and Bedworth
  • Region
  • England

*ONS data and Sport England Active Lives Survey 2016/17

Local partners

Local Authority

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council’s Sport, Recreation and Community Facilities Strategy (2016-2031) aims to help plan effectively for future sports facility provision, for current and future population growth and increased participation. The vision of the strategy is "that by 2031, Nuneaton and Bedworth will be a place where there are opportunities for sustainable economic growth with diverse job prospects, healthy living and an integrated infrastructure. Business will want to invest in the Borough as a result of the outcomes of policies in the Plan, which will include creating an attractive environment to live an work in".

The local authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy in place; this was adopted in 2016 and updated in 2018. This research revealed a future demand shortfall of at least two full-size 3G FTPs as well as a shortfall of all formats of grass football pitches.

County Football Association

Nuneaton & Bedworth is covered by Birmingham 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.

Football Foundation Investment

3 Total grants
  • £1,347,577 Total project cost
  • £604,946 Total grant value
  • 3 Sites improved
  • 2 New 3G FTPs
  • 1 Changing rooms / pavilions
  • 0 Grass pitches improved

*See Football Foundation website for more information: http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes

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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). On occasion Sky Blues in the Community (Coventry City) runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Everyone Active is the key leisure operator in Nuneaton & Bedworth. The company currently operates three key sites including Jubilee Sports Centre and Bedworth Leisure Centre. Both sites have small sized 3G FTPs which are used for recreational football. The third site is Pingles Leisure Centre which has no football facilities.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Nuneaton & Bedworth. 15 individuals (representing 12 local organisations) were consulted. These include:

  • Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council
  • North Warwickshire & Hinckley College
  • Haunchwood Sports FC
  • Bedworth Eagles JFC

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

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Local football

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Nuneaton and Bedworth has a total of 191 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 ten years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Nuneaton and Bedworth, four clubs have more than ten registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

  • Ambleside Junior - 27 teams
  • Bedworth United - 21 teams
  • St Nicholas - 13 teams
  • Weddington Sports - 11 teams

Affiliated Teams

191 Teams
  • 71 Adult male teams
  • 2 Adult female teams
  • 64 Youth male teams
  • 2 Youth female teams
  • 1 Disability teams
  • 51 Mini-soccer teams

*The FA Whole Game System - Season 2017/18

Leagues

Three leagues operate in Nuneaton & Bedworth. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including youth and adults and females. While there are no specific league opportunities for disability football within Nuneaton & Bedworth, there is however suitable provision provided in neighbouring Birmingham.

Nuneaton and Bedworth largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

  • Nuneaton & Bedworth Minor League – 44 teams (home and away)
  • Nuneaton & District Sunday League – 43 teams (home and away)
  • Central Warwickshire Girls and Women’s League - 149 teams (home and away)

The County FA reports that there is significant cross boundary migration in Nuneaton & Bedworth due to teams migrating outwards to the Coventry & Warwickshire u7/u8 Football League, Coventry & Warwickshire Youth Football League, Coventry Alliance League and Tamworth Junior League.

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 Nuneaton and Bedworth there is one football team 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.

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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. Nuneaton and Bedworth has five FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At four, Nuneaton & Bedworth’s number of female teams is lower 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 Central Warwickshire Girls and Woman’s League and matches are played on a home and away basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Central Warwickshire Girls and Women’s League and matches are played on a home and away and the league is expected to grow its provision in future years.

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

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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.

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

Key local providers include:

  • Leisure Leagues, located at Nuneaton Academy and Etone Sports Centre

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it’s played on an indoor surface with hockey-sized goals and a size 4 football with reduced ball bounce. It is the FA’s aim to ensure Futsal is available across the country.

There are currently no futsal teams in Nuneaton & Bedworth. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for all players.

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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 Nuneaton & Bedworth. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Bedworth Walking Football. 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 / casual bookings which are delivered by a range of organisations including Sky Blues in the Community.

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 Nuneaton & Bedworth is played throughout the Borough.

Summary

The key strengths of local football in Nuneaton and Bedworth include mini, youth and adult male 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 woman & girls, disability, futsal and recreational football

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Nuneaton and Bedworth are:

  1. Retain and grow women & girls football
  2. Retain and grown disability football
  3. Retain and grow recreational football
  4. Retain and grow Futsal
  5. Retain and grow Wildcats Centres

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.

Assets and Opportunities

03

This section reviews existing football facility assets in Nuneaton & Bedworth. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment.

Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed inline with four investment priorities:

  1. 3G FTPs
  2. Improved grass pitches
  3. Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
  4. Small-sided facilities

To ensure a consistent and high quality approach, each local area has been reviewed applying a standard approach, supplemented by input from consultation with local partners and stakeholder organisations.

While each investment priority is reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

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3G Football Turf Pitches (FTPs)

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Improved Grass Pitches

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Changing room pavilions / clubhouses

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Small-sided facilities

3G Football Turf pitches (FTPs)

04

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.

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Assets and opportunities

FA data states that there are currently two full size 3G FTPs in Nuneaton & Bedworth; this equates to a current shortfall of two (with the potential future demand for three) pitches relative to assessed demand.

Existing 3G FTPs in Nuneaton & Bedworth include:

  • The Nuneaton Academy Sports Centre - full size
  • The Oval (Bedworth United FC) - full size
  • Jubilee Sports Centre - small sided (5v5)
  • Bedworth Leisure Centre - small sided (5v5)
  • St Thomas More Catholic School & Sixth Form College - small sided (5v5)
  • Wembrook Primary School - small sided (5v5)
  • St Michaels Primary School - small sided (5v5)

There are currently no small-sided 3G FTP centres in Nuneaton & Bedworth.

Both full size pitches are available for community use, although The Oval (Bedworth United FC) has no spare capacity in the peak period. Both full size pitches are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play).

The geographical spread of existing facilities is even; Nuneaton Academy Sports Centre is located in the north, and The Oval (Bedworth United FC) is located to the south of the local area. There are facilities / provision gaps in the north, north east and central areas of Nuneaton & Bedworth despite high levels of population in these areas. It is recommended that these are addressed.

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

2 Current 3G FTP's
2 More 3G FTPs required
0 More small-sided 3G FTPs required

Priority projects

Three priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Undersupply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model. Each site was selected by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographical spread, success and quality of existing facilities:

1 - Northern School Site (site TBC) - new 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: N/A new site.
  • Current users: none.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women & girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

*The site for the proposed Northern School is TBC at the time of writing for this report. It is not listed in the map below.

2 - North Warwickshire & Hinckley College - new 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: two grass pitches with changing facilities.
  • Current users: none. Any potential development on this site would need to be in accordance with National Planning Policy and Sport England Policy.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women & girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.


4 - Nicholas Chamberlaine School - new 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: six full size and three junior grass pitches with standard quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: 14 affiliated teams from clubs including; Bedworth Eagles, Poplar Athletic, White Lion and MYD. This project is in the very early stages of development and further feasibility around demand for a facility at this site will need to be undertaken.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women & girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

Current and proposed 3G FTP’s

Pitchfinder

Improved Grass Pitches

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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 1 in 6 games are cancelled. As such, poor pitch quality is consistently cited as the number one issue for players.

The priority is, therefore, to sustainably improve grass pitch quality across all main pitch owners (local authorities, education establishments and clubs). However, the level of maintenance required to obtain good quality standards is regularly affected by restricted budgets and limited knowledge/ training. Compaction and grass coverage are two key causes of poor quality pitches. Both are commonly treated via a maintenance driven solution (and do not necessarily require costly drainage schemes).

Playing fields are also a valuable resources for informal play and open-access sites are encouraged but, for many, problems such as dog fouling and vandalism mean that they need to be protected with mitigation measures such as fencing.

In many local areas the key challenge is to create a sustainable approach to provide good quality football pitches for the long-term. Many local authorities (78%) intend to increase pitch hire fees in the future. However, many players (63%) believe facilities are already expensive and some (16%) believe prices are prohibitive. A sustainable solution should, therefore, carefully balance pitch quality and affordability.

While the education sector (37%) and local authorities (32%) are still the principal asset owners of grass pitches, clubs / leagues own or maintain an increasing share (currently 25%). Assets and opportunities have been considered across each sector.

Although large (3+ pitch) strategic sites are important and make up much of the project list within the LFFPs, this does not mean that other club, league and community/voluntary sites are not important or eligible for funding. These sites are key to the Football Foundation's Grass Pitch Programme to deliver 20,000 good quality pitches.

For more information click here.

PitchPower

The PitchPower app is the gateway to any grass pitch improvement funding. It is the tool that will allow clubs and organisations to complete pitch inspections and access funds.

If you haven't signed up and completed a PitchPower pitch inspection, you will need to do this before you can apply for the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.

Learn more by clicking here.

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Assets and opportunities

PitchFinder and PPS Data indicate that there are currently four grass pitch sites in Nuneaton & Bedworth with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 22 grass pitches. Of these, all sites have pitches that are of standard quality (one pitch at Griff & Coton Sports & Miners Welfare is rated as good).

Local consultation shows common issues with pitch quality and it is recommended that these are addressed.

4 Key grass pitch sites
11 Sites prioritised for improvement.
30 Full-sized pitch equivalents at these sites

Priority projects

11 priority projects for potential investment have been identified*. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS / FA data and qualified by local partners. Due to the limited number of sites with three or full-size pitch equivalents, this plan includes a number of sites with fewer than three full-size pitch equivalents. The prioritisation was informed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites that were most well utilised and of the highest strategic importance:

1 - Northern School Site (site TBC) - works to natural grass pitches (pitch development)

  • Existing facilities: N/A new site.
  • Current users: none.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women & girls, cross curricular use.
    *At the time of writing this site is TBC and has not been included in the map below.

3 - Griff & Coton Sports & Miners Welfare Club - works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: one full size and two junior grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: five affiliated teams from clubs including; Griff and Coton Manor (adult and junior), TNT Reserves and Weddington Sports.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

4 - Nicolas Chamberlaine School - works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: six full size and three junior grass pitches with standard quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: 14 affiliated teams from clubs including; Bedworth Eagles, Poplar Athletic, White Lion and MYD.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, cross curricular use.

5 - Paul's Land - works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: six full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: eight affiliated teams from clubs including; Attleborough Fox, CJ Athletic, Chetwynd Arms, FC Jollys, and Stockingford White Lion.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football.

6 - Sandon Park - works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: four full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: five affiliated teams from clubs including; Bentley Sports & Social, CJ Athletic, Nuneaton Community Club, and Weddington Thistle. Site is a potential option for asset transfer via a long lease arrangement to large club in future.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

7 - Pingles - works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: five affiliated teams from clubs including; FC Atack, Nuneaton Griff, and Phoenix Sports.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football.

8 - Haunchwood - works to natural grass pitches (pitch development)

  • Existing facilities: one full size and potential for one 9v9, one 7v7 and one 5v5 grass pitches. The site has poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: no users in 2017/2018 season. Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council and Haunchwood Sports FC are currently in discussions about potentially leasing the site to the club on a long lease arrangement. If this progresses all nine of Haunchwood Sports FC's teams have potential to be based at the site.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football, junior football, women & girls.

9 - Johnson Road - works to natural grass pitches (pitch development)

  • Existing facilities: N/A site currently disused.
  • Current users: no users in 2017/2018 season. Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council and Bedworth Eagles are currently in discussions about potentially leasing the site to the club on a long lease arrangement. If this progresses all ten of Bedworth Eagles teams have potential to be based at the site.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women & girls.

10 - Heckley Fields - works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with inadequate changing facilities.
  • Current users: Three affiliated teams from clubs including; Old Black Bank, Polonia Coventry, Woodlands WMC. Site has been earmarked for potential further use in future.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football.

11 - Bulkington Recreation Ground - works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: eight affiliated teams from clubs including; Bedworth Travellers, Bulkington FC, and Bulkington Sports & Social.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football, junior football.

17 - Blackberry Lane - works to natural grass pitches (pitch development)

  • Existing facilities: none, site currently unused.
  • Current users: none. Potential future site for Bedworth Warriors FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women & girls.

Priority grass pitch sites

Pitchfinder

Changing room pavilions / clubhouses

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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.

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Assets and opportunities

Of the four key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Nuneaton & Bedworth, all have facilities that need improvement/ replacement. Due to the low number of sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents, the steering group took the decision to also include a number of strategically important sites with less then three full-size pitch equivalents.

0 Key sites have suitable changing rooms/pavillions/clubhouses
9 Require improvement / replacement.
2 Have no facilities and require new builds

Priority projects

11 priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Each project has either no facilities or was deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion:


2 - North Warwickshire & Hinckley College - refurb changing pavilion (as part of potential 3G development)

  • Existing facilities: two grass pitches with changing facilities.
  • Current users: none. Any potential development on this site would need to be in accordance with National Planning Policy and Sport England Policy.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women & girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

3 - Griff & Coton Sports & Miners Welfare Club - refurbish Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one full size and two junior grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: five affiliated teams from clubs including; Griff and Coton Manor (adult and junior), TNT Reserves and Weddington Sports.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

5 - Paul's Land - refurbish Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: six full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: eight affiliated teams from clubs including; Attleborough Fox, CJ Athletic, Chetwynd Arms, FC Jollys, and Stockingford White Lion.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football.

6 - Sandon Park - refurbish Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: four full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: five affiliated teams from clubs including; Bentley Sports & Social, CJ Athletic, Nuneaton Community Club, and Weddington Thistle. Site is a potential option for asset transfer via a long lease arrangement to large club in the future.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

7 - Pingles - refurbish Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: five affiliated teams from clubs including; FC Atack, Nuneaton Griff, and Phoenix Sports.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football.

8 - Haunchwood - refurbish Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one full size and potential for one 9v9, one 7v7 and one 5v5 grass pitches. The site has poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: no users in 2017/2018 season. Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council and Haunchwood Sports FC are currently in discussions about potentially leasing the site to the club on a long lease arrangement. If this progresses all nine of Haunchwood Sports FC's teams have potential to be based from the site.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football, junior football, women & girls.

9 - Johnson Road - new Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: N/A site currently disused.
  • Current users: no users in 2017/2018 season. Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council and Bedworth Eagles are currently in discussions about potentially leasing the site to the club on a long lease arrangement. If this progresses all ten of Bedworth Eagles teams have potential to be based from the site.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women & girls.

10 - Heckley Fields - refurbish Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with inadequate changing facilities.
  • Current users: Three affiliated teams from clubs including; Old Black Bank, Polonia Coventry, Woodlands WMC. Site has been earmarked for potential further use in future.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football.

11 - Bulkington Recreation Ground - refurbish Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: eight affiliated teams from clubs including; Bedworth Travellers, Bulkington FC, and Bulkington Sports & Social.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football, junior football.

12 - Keresley Recreation Ground - refurbish Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: two affiliated teams from clubs including; Bull & Anchor Ash Green, and Radford Social. Potential for more teams to utilise the site if improved.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football, junior football.

17 - Blackberry Lane - new Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: none, site currently unused.
  • Current users: none. Potential future site for Bedworth Warriors FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women & girls.

Priority changing room pavilions sites

Pitchfinder

Small-sided facilities

07

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.

SS Facilities 1.png
SS Facilities 2.png

Priority projects

0 Better indoor space
9 MUGAs
1 Better parks / open green spaces

Indoor

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

Multi-use Games Areas (MUGAs)

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


5 - Paul's Land - upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: six full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities, dilapidated MUGA also on site.
  • Current users: eight affiliated teams from clubs including; Attleborough Fox, CJ Athletic, Chetwynd Arms, FC Jollys, and Stockingford White Lion. MUGA well used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football, informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

6 - Sandon Park - upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: four full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities, dilapidated MUGA also on site.
  • Current users: five affiliated teams from clubs including; Bentley Sports & Social, CJ Athletic, Nuneaton Community Club, and Weddington Thistle. MUGA well used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

11 - Bulkington Recreation Ground - upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities, dilapidated MUGA also on site.
  • Current users: eight affiliated teams from clubs including; Bedworth Travellers, Bulkington FC, and Bulkington Sports & Social. Site also used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football, junior football, informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

12 - Keresley Recreation Ground - upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities, dilapidated MUGA also on site.
  • Current users: two affiliated teams from clubs including; Bull & Anchor Ash Green, and Radford Social. Potential for more teams to utilise the site if improved.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

13 - The Dingle (open space) - upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA in dilapidated condition.
  • Current users: site used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

14 - Sherbourne Avenue (open space) - upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA in dilapidated condition.
  • Current users: site used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

15 - Middlemarch Road Play Area & Open Space - upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA in dilapidated condition.
  • Current users: site used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

16 - Crowhill Recreation Ground - upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA in dilapidated condition.
  • Current users: site used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football, junior football.

Parks and open green spaces

Following local consultation, one location has 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:


7 - Pingles - informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: two full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Current users: five affiliated teams from clubs including; FC Atack, Nuneaton Griff, and Phoenix Sports. Site is well used for recreational football and would benefit from informal provision.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; senior football, informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups

Priority small-sided sites

Pitchfinder

Appendix A: Priority Project List

08

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.

2

2 - North Warwickshire & Hinckley College

Location

Location details: North Warwickshire & Hinckley College

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

4.0/4

Overall score

92% (11.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

1

1 - Northern School Site (site TBD)

Location

Location details: Northern School Site (site TBD)

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

4.0/4

Overall score

92% (11.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

8

8 - Haunchwood

Location

HAUNCHWOOD Park Lane, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 8LX

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.7/4

Overall score

87% (10.4/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

6

6 - Sandon Park

Location

SANDON PARK SANDON PARK RECREATION GROUND SHAWE AVENUE, NUNEATON, Warwickshire, CV10 0EN

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (4)
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.6/4

Overall score

86% (10.3/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal; Youth female; Youth male

4

4 - Nicolas Chamberlaine School

Location

NICHOLAS CHAMBERLAINE SCHOOL BULKINGTON ROAD, BEDWORTH, Warwickshire, CV12 9EA

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (9)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

4.0/4

Overall score

83% (10.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

9

9 - Johnson Road

Location

JOHNSON ROAD JOHNSON ROAD, BEDWORTH, , CV12 9ST

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.4/4

Overall score

82% (9.9/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

13

13 - The Dingle (open space)

Location

The Dingle The Dingle, Nuneaton, , CV10 9DF

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.6/4

Overall score

77% (9.2/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

16

16 - Crowhill Recreation Ground (Open Space)

Location

Crowhill Rec Raven Way, Nuneaton, , CV11 6XA

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.6/4

Overall score

77% (9.2/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

5

5 - Paul's Land

Location

PAULS LAND 18 MIDDELBURG CLOSE, NUNEATON, Warwickshire, CV11 6PZ

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (6)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.4/4

Overall score

74% (8.9/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal; Youth male

15

15 - Middlemarch Road Play Area & Open Space

Location

Middlemarch Play Area & Open Space Middlemarch Road, Nuneaton, , CV10 7BU

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.4/4

Overall score

73% (8.7/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

14

14 - Sherbourne Avenue (open space)

Location

Sherbourne Avenue (open space) Sherbourne Avenue, Nuneaton, , CV10 9JE

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.2/4

Overall score

69% (8.3/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

3

3 - Griff & Coton Sports & Miners Welfare Club

Location

GRIFF AND COTON SPORTS & MINERS WELFARE CLUB HEATH END ROAD, NUNEATON, Warwickshire, CV10 7JQ

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Youth male

17

17 - Blackberry Lane

Location

BLACKBERRY LANE EASTER WAY, COVENTRY, Warwickshire, CV7 9HP

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (1)
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Youth female; Youth male

11

11- Bulkington Recreation Ground

Location

BULKINGTON THE PAVILION, RECREATION GROUND BEDWORTH ROAD, BULKINGTON, BEDWORTH, Warwickshire, CV12 9PZ

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.8/4

Overall score

64% (7.6/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Small-sided informal; Youth male

12

12 - Keresley Recreation Ground (Keresley Community Centre)

Location

KERESLEY RECREATION GROUND 12 DE-COMPTON CLOSE, KERESLEY END, COVENTRY, Warwickshire, CV7 8NB

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.8/4

Overall score

63% (7.6/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Small-sided informal; Youth female; Youth male

7

7 - Pingles

Location

PINGLES UNIT 3A, EDEN BUSINESS PARK DUNNS CLOSE, NUNEATON, Warwickshire, CV11 4NE

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.6/4

Overall score

59% (7.1/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal; Youth male

10

10 - Heckley Fields

Location

HECKLEY FIELDS 5 HECKLEY ROAD, EXHALL, COVENTRY, Warwickshire, CV7 9EX

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

56% (6.7/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Youth male

A project's overall score provides an indication of its potential outcomes and deliverability only (weighted twice as much towards the outcomes score). It does not impact the likelihood or level of any potential investment.

Appendix B: Consultation List

09

  • Building Services & Performance Information Officer - Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council
  • Chairman - Ambleside Sports & Social
  • Chairman - Bedworth Eagles
  • Chairman - Haunchwood Sports
  • Chairman - Higham FC
  • Facility & Investment Lead - Birmingham County Football Association
  • Group Director of Estates and Facilities - North Warwickshire & Hinckley College
  • Head of Community - Sky Blues in the Community (Coventry City FC)
  • Parks Manager- Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council
  • Secretary - Coventry Sunday Football League
  • Secretary - Nuneaton & Bedworth Junior League
  • Secretary - Attleborough Sports JFC
  • Secretary - Bedworth Eagles
  • Secretary - Nuneaton & Bedworth Junior League
  • Sports Development Manager - Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council

Survey responses were received from the following affiliated clubs:

  • Ambleside Sports FC
  • Bedworth Rangers FC
  • Bulkington Sports & Social FC
  • North Warwickshire & Hinckley College FC
  • Nuneaton Griff FC
  • Stockingford AA Pavilion Ladies FC

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