Local Football Facility Plan Plymouth

Plymouth is in the South West Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 263,070. This is expected to rise to 276,442 by 2039.

Plymouth is ranked 6 out of 37 LAs in the region, and 78 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Plymouth's ethnic composition is primarily white (96.15%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Plymouth’s population represented by the BAME community is 3.85%. This is significantly below the national average (14.6%).

Local authority

The Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan was adopted in March 2019. It sets a shared direction of travel for the long term future of the area, within the context of wider integrated strategic plans, up to the period 2034.

The Authority is currently updating its Playing Pitch Strategy. Once adopted, this document will act as the evidence base for the LFFP.

County football association

Plymouth is covered by the Devon County FA. It provides governance for, and development support to, all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. The County FA has a designated facilities investment lead officer who works to ensure the right facilities are located in the right locations.

Football Foundation

The Regional Engagement Manager and Regional Technical Project Manager at the Football Foundation work collaboratively with the County FA to provide pre-application support to priority projects for potential investment.

Sport England

Has a network of planning managers who have a statutory role in the planning system to protect playing fields and provide consultation responses to planning applications relating to sporting facilities . They also play a key role in strategic planning for sports facilities, providing advice and support to local authorities to assess need for facilities in their local area.

Professional community club organisations (CCOs)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Plymouth Argyle Community Trust 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 Plymouth. It currently runs a number of facilities including:

• Plymouth Life Centre
• Brickfields Sports Centre
• Tinside Lido
• Plympton Swimming Pool

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Plymouth. 34 individuals (representing 26 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Activate Youth FC
• Plymouth Kolts FC
• Marine Academy Plymouth Juniors
• Plymouth Hope
• Improving Lives Plymouth
• YMCA

(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. Plymouth has a total of 486 teams, this number differs from the figures identified within the draft PPS (386) as the PPS does not include university intra mural teams or small sided football that have been affiliated this year.

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 Plymouth, 16 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Plymouth Marjon - 25 teams
• Signal Box - 23 teams
• Marine Academy Plymouth – 22 teams
• Activate - 22 teams
• Plymstock United - 19 teams

Leagues

Eight leagues serve clubs and teams in Plymouth. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, disability, youth and adults.

The largest of these (2018-19) include:

• The Devon Junior & Minor League – 415 teams – home and away
• The Plymouth & West Devon League – 76 teams – home and away

The County FA reports relatively low levels of cross boundary migration to/from Plymouth; what there is - is primarily due to teams migrating outwards to play in the Plymouth & West Devon 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 Plymouth there are 31 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.

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. Plymouth has six FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to sustain this activity.

At 48, Plymouth’s number of female teams is higher than local areas of a similar size. The County FA’s priority is to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls’ league is the Devon County Girls League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Devon Women’s League. It too plays matches on a home and away basis and is expected to grow its provision in future years.

There is no FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) in Devon, however, the Devon FA Girls Advanced Coaching Centre is located in South Hams. 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 Bristol City 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

• Goals at Goals Soccer Centre, Plymouth
• Man v Fat, Brickfields Sports Centre
• Soccer Sixes at Brickfields Sports Centre, Manadon, and Plymouth Marjon University
• #Devon567 at Manadon, Plymstock and Plympton Academy

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 no futsal teams in Plymouth, although there is some recreational futsal made available via Just Play centres. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for youth and 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 six FA Just Play centres in Plymouth. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Argyle Community Trust. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities to sustain. Other local recreational football programmes include Man vs Fat, and pro-club community scheme activity; these are delivered by a range of organisations including Argyle Community Trust.

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 Plymouth is played particularly in the central and eastern areas of the Authority. Central Park, Astor Park, Victoria Park and Plympton St Marys are key well-used site locations.

The key strengths of local football in Plymouth include small-sided, female and youth charter standard club provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and encouraged to grow further. It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Plymouth are:

1. Age appropriate formats of competition in youth football
2. Weight-loss/health clubs, walking football & other casual participation
3. Female
4. 11v11 Adult
5. Disability
6. Futsal

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 Plymouth. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment. Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed in line with four investment priorities:

• 3G FTPs
• Improved grass pitches
• Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
• Small sided facilities

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

While 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.

There are seven full-sized (11v11) 3G FTPs in Plymouth located at:

• Devonport High School for Boys
• Keyham Sports Ground
• Manadon Football Development Centre
• Marjon Sport Centre
• Plymstock School Sports Centre
• Tor Bridge Sports Centre
• HMS Drake, Devonport

In addition, there are five small-sided 3G FTP sites (containing a total of 13 pitches) at:

• Eggbuckland Community College (one 60x40 FTP)
• Goals Soccer Centre (eight 5v5 FTPs ) and (one 7v7 FTP xl)
• Plymouth Albion RFC, Brickfields (one 60x40 FTP)
• All Saints Academy (one 40x30 FTP)
• Plympton Community Sports Centre (one 80x50 FTP)

A new non-floodlit 9v9 3G FTP (due to come online 2019/20) is already in development without funding via the Football Foundation at Saltram Meadow Primary School. However, the facility at Saltram Meadow is one of the priority projects noted in this Plan for the potential installation of floodlighting.

Of the seven full sized 3G FTPs, two are not community available (Keyham Sports Ground and HMS Drake). Both are located on MOD land and solely used by military personnel. Although technically available, there is also limited football access at the 3G FTP at Brickfields which is predominantly used by Plymouth Albion Rugby Club to accommodate club training demand, with limited slots available for community football clubs.

All five full sized community available 3G FTPs are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). In addition the 3G FTPs at Eggbuckland Community College and Plympton Community Sports Centre are also on the Register.

It must also be noted that two sites in neighbouring authorities also accommodate training and match play demand from teams in Plymouth. These are

• Saltmill Park, Saltash (floodlit 11v11 3G FTP) - in Cornwall. This is highlighted in the Cornwall LFFP for refurbishment.
• Ivybridge Community College (one floodlit 11v11 3G FTP and one 5v5 3G FTP) - in South Hams.

Whilst there is 3G FTP located at Ivybridge Rugby Club in South Hams, at present there is limited use for football as the site is predominately use for Rugby.

Plymouth is in the process of producing its PPS. The draft indicates that there is a shortfall of two full sized 3G FTPs in Plymouth and highlights a number of potential options to address this shortfall. In addition, as part of the LFFP consultation process, Plymouth Argyle also expressed an aspiration to develop a training facility in Plymouth, which could potentially include 3G provision. Drawing upon the options listed in the PPS, three projects are deemed to be the most deliverable to address the shortfall in Plymouth. However, should these projects not be deemed viable as a consequence of feasibility assessment, the remaining PPS options listed should be considered.

Two of the full sized 3G FTPs require a new carpet; Tor Bridge Sports Centre and Plymstock School Sports Centre. The facility at Plymstock was originally funded by the Football Foundation in 2008 and the organisation will fund the resurface itself through its sinking fund. However, the facility at Tor Bridge Sports Centre is one of the priority projects noted in this Plan.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is uneven; the majority are located in the west and central areas of the City. There are facilities gaps in the north and south of the River Plym despite high levels affiliated football and substantial local populations; it is recommended that these gaps are addressed.

Local consultation confirms common issues with the cost of 3G FTP hire and it is recommended that this is considered and addressed.

Four priority projects for potential investment are identified; three new facilities and one upgrade of an existing venue. Whilst the draft PPS identifies a need for an additional two full sized 3G FTPs in Plymouth, to accommodate demand it has been agreed that the LFFP should prioritise one new full sized and two new small sized (9v9) 3G FTPs.

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 26 grass pitch sites in Plymouth with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 75 grass pitches.

Of the 26 key pitch sites referenced above it was determined that 12 should be prioritised. This will result in quality improvements to 31 pitches.

Local consultation confirms the common issues faced in respect of the poor quality of many pitches and it is recommended that this is addressed.

12 priority projects for potential investment are identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by the draft PPS and ratified by local partners. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting sites in poor condition that are, or offer the potential to be, well utilised and reflect the strategic focus to improve football participation.

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 26 key grass pitch sites in Plymouth with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) 15 have suitable changing rooms, six require improvement/replacement and five have no facilities and require new changing rooms or storage facilities. Depending on the preferred location as part of the central / north Plymouth 3G FTP, new changing facilities may be required to support this facility.

In addition, new storage facilities are required at Plympton St Mary's Recreation Ground.

12 priority projects for potential investment are identified.

Good facilities are important to all small sided football players, but it is important to understand the different formats of the small-sided game and the various facility types they relate to.

Research suggests that small-sided players in teams and leagues, and in recreational sessions, prefer a 3G surface type because it replicates a good standard natural turf pitch. These facilities have already been covered in the 3G FTP section of this LFFP.

Indoor environments currently accommodate 20% of football participation and are also popular with players in teams and leagues and recreational sessions . Indoor sports halls are most popular, along with some community halls and indoor 3G centres. Environments need to be engaging, have clear line-marking and the correct size goalposts.

Informal players require facilities that are open and free to access as this enables play opportunities that are often spontaneous. In these circumstances multi-use games areas (MUGAs) can be effective in areas of high urban population and limited green space. Such facilities can be modern, bright, creative and engaging. While this plan will identify suitable locations for such facilities, the design and specifics of the facility type can be agreed at a later stage with Football Foundation staff when projects are ready to progress to pre-application stage.

Parks and open green spaces are also important to informal play and require goalposts and zones that are free from litter and dog fouling.

Local consultation indicates one indoor facility that requires improvement to develop small-sided football.

Five potential opportunities for MUGAs are identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of significant population with relatively high proportions of people from lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football.

Following local consultation, and assisted by the Sport England Green Spaces Mapping Tool, four locations are identified to support small sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on utilising popular local parks and/or open green spaces with suitable space / areas to increase informal football.

A range of local agencies and larger (usually 10 plus team) local football clubs were invited to participate in the LFFP consultation. Those that contributed are listed below:

• Natural Infrastructure Officer - Plymouth City Council
• Natural Infrastructure Officer - Plymouth City Council
• City Planning Manager - Plymouth City Council
• Head of Community Trust - Plymouth Argyle Community Trust
• CEO - Plymouth Argyle Football Club
• Academy Manager - Plymouth Argyle Football Club
• Activate Youth FC - Chairman
• Plymouth Kolts FC - Chairman
• Chaddlewood Miners Youth - Chairman
• Elburton Villa Junior - Coach
• Plymouth Marjon FC - Development Manager
• Plymouth United FC - Chairman
• Plymouth Warriors CIC - Chairman
• Marine Academy Plymouth Junior - Chairman
• Marine Academy Plymouth Junior - Secretary
• Signal Box Frankfort Youth and Oak Villa - Chairman
• Signal Box Frankfort Youth and Oak Villa - Secretary
• Adrenalin Devon Junior and Minor League - Secretary
• Swaz Plymouth and West Devon Football League - League Chairman
• Plymstock United Colts - Chairman
• Plymstock United Colts - Club Welfare Officer
• Plymouth Hope - Project Officer
• Plymouth Hope - After School Club Assistant
• Plymouth School Sports Partnership - Partnership Leader
• University of Plymouth - Sports Development Manager
• Improving Lives Plymouth - Active for all Manager
• YMCA - Operations Director
• Tamar View - Club Secretary (via Club Survey)
• Seymour Arms F.C - Manager (via Club Survey)
• Woolwell FC - Club Secretary (via Club Survey)
• Central Park Rangers FC - Chairman (via Club Survey)
• Plymouth Aspire Girls - Club Secretary (via Club Survey)
• Inter Plymouth FC - Club Secretary (via Club Survey)
• Belliver FC - Club Secretary (via Club Survey)