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Local Football Facility Plan South Staffordshire

Introduction

01

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

  • South Staffordshire Council
  • Staffordshire County FA
  • Birmingham County FA
  • Football Foundation
  • Sport England

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 and the purpose of this plan is to identify the priority projects for potential investment in South Staffordshire.

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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 South Staffordshire.

Whilst it identifies priority projects for potential investment, it does not guarantee the success of future funding applications. Each project must still follow an application process to show how it will deliver key participation outcomes, become a quality & sustainable facility and demonstrate suitable match-funding.

When each project is in a position to proceed, the Football Foundation will determine a suitable timeframe to submit a grant application and pre-application support will be provided by Staffordshire County FA and the Football Foundation.

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.

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 up 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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South Staffordshire

02

Local area

South Staffordshire is in the West Midlands region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 111,890, which is expected to rise to 116,345 by 2039.

27.3% of the South Staffordshire population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups). This is below the national average of 30.6%.

South Staffordshire’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (95.9%) which is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of South Staffordshire’s population represented by the BAME community is 4.1%. This is below the national average of 14.6%.

Demographics

  • 111,890 Current population (2017)
  • 116,345 Projected population (2039)
  • 27th most deprived out of 30 local authorities in the region
  • 252nd most deprived out of 326 local authorities in England

Ethnicity data

  • Asian (1.96%)
  • Black (0.53%)
  • Mixed (1.38%)
  • Other (0.22%)
  • White (95.9%)
28%
30%
26%

% of people that are inactive

  • South Staffordshire
  • Region
  • England

ONS data and Sport England Active Lives Survey 2016/17

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Local partners

Local Authority

South Staffordshire’s Council Plan (2016-2020) provides a strategic vision to improve the well-being and quality of life for its residents. There is a focus on improving community cohesion to help improve levels of rural isolation. The plan aims to provide good quality health and leisure facilities to serve all communities across the District.

Staffordshire’s joint (incorporates South Staffordshire) Health and Wellbeing Strategy is due to be updated later in 2018. The main aims of the current strategy are to are to ensure Staffordshire is a healthy and successful County. To enable this a number of key priorities have been developed, including improving lifestyles and tackling health inequalities across the County. This is supported by the aim to increase wellbeing across South Staffordshire by education children, and young families to give them the tools to live longer and in good health.

The Authority is due to update its Playing Pitch Strategy. The previous PPS dates back to 2014.

County Football Association

South Staffordshire is covered by both Birmingham and Staffordshire County FA’s. They provide governance and development support to all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. Both County FA’s have 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

6 Total grants
  • £3,353,355 Total project cost
  • £2,095,273 Total grant value
  • 6 Sites improved
  • 1 New 3G FTPs
  • 5 Changing rooms / pavilions
  • 18 Grass pitches improved

See Football foundation website for more info http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes

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)

Wanderers FC Community Trust provides training sessions and camps within the District.

Local leisure operator

South Staffordshire Council manages four key leisure centre sites at Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge & Wombourne. All except Wombourne have 3G FTPs which are utilised to cater for both the affiliated and recreational game. There are sports halls at all sites; all are well utilised for recreational football; this includes walking football at Penkridge and Codsall Leisure Centres.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in South Staffordshire. A total of eight individuals (representing seven local organisations) were consulted. These include:

  • South Staffordshire Council
  • Staffordshire County FA
  • South Staffordshire Housing Association
  • Hawkins Sports
  • Wyrley JFC
  • Parish Councils

(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. South Staffordshire has a total of 192 teams, which is comparable to local areas of a similar size.

The FA is investing to support clubs both on and off the pitch which includes an aim to have a qualified FA coach with every youth team by 2020/21. In addition, it will support 1,000 clubs to create full player pathways from youth to adult teams and develop 150 community football hubs with male and female pathways, disability and recreational playing opportunities.

Over the last 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In South Staffordshire, eight clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

  • Brewood Juniors FC - 14 teams
  • Bilbrook Juniors – 25 teams
  • Hawkins Sports FC - 16 teams
  • Kinver Colts FC - 14 teams
  • Penkridge Juniors FC - 11 teams
  • Trysull Tigers FC - 27 teams
  • Wolverhampton Sporting Communities FC - ten teams
  • Wyrley Juniors FC - 64 teams

Affiliated Teams

192 Teams
  • 56 Adult male teams
  • 4 Adult female teams
  • 62 Youth male teams
  • 14 Youth female teams
  • 4 Disability teams
  • 52 Mini-soccer teams

*The FA Whole Game System - Season 2017/18

Leagues

Four leagues operate in South Staffordshire. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, disability, youth and adults.

South Staffordshire’s largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

  • Mid Staffs Junior Youth League
  • Walsall Junior Youth Football League
  • Stourbridge & District Youth League
  • Staffordshire Girls and Ladies League
  • Staffordshire Ability Counts League
  • Staffordshire County Senior League

The County FA reports that there is significant cross boundary migration in South Staffordshire due to teams migrating inwards and outwards to compete in each of the neighbouring leagues.

Disability football

There are 9.4million people in England with a long-standing limiting disability, illness or condition which equates to 18% of the population – almost one in five. Football playing opportunities should be flexible, inclusive and accessible for everyone, whatever their level of ability. This could entail inclusion in mainstream activity or teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability.

In South Staffordshire there are four football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to grow and sustain this provision. For talented players the FA run 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. South Staffordshire has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow and sustain this activity.

At 18, South Staffordshire’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 Staffordshire Girls and Ladies League and matches are played on both a home and away and central venue basis. The league is expected to grow and sustain its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Staffordshire Girls and Ladies League and matches are played on a home and away basis and the league is expected to sustain its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Clubs (RTC) are Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. which are located in the local 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 Birmingham City Ladies FC 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 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

  • Powerplay - Cheslyn Hay LC and Codsall LC
  • Penkridge 5 A side league

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 South Staffordshire. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for male, female, youth and adult 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 South Staffordshire. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as local authorities and charities. 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 South Staffordshire District Council, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Grassroots Football Clubs and Private Businesses.

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 South Staffordshire area is played particularly in the north, south, east and west of the Borough. Codsall, Cheslyn Hay, Penkridge and Wombourne Leisure Centres are key site locations that are heavily used.

Summary

The key strengths of local football in South Staffordshire include Mini Soccer, Youth Football and Community Club provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include Disability and Female Football.

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for South Staffordshire are:

  1. Disability Football
  2. Female Football
  3. Walking Football
  4. Facility Development
  5. Recreational Opportunities

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 South Staffordshire’s existing football facility assets. 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, pitches 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.

The national ‘Mini Pitch’ programme delivers small 3G FTPs at primary school sites to provide a high quality introduction to football and get children more physically active. While mini pitches are reviewed in this section, they are not included in the demand and supply analysis for 3G FTPs.

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Assets and opportunities

FA data states that there are currently three full size 3G FTPs in South Staffordshire. Additionally, there is a slightly smaller sized pitch located at Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre. This is a shortfall of two pitches relative to assessed demand.

Existing 3G FTPs in South Staffordshire include:

  • Codsall Leisure Centre – full size
  • Penkridge Leisure Centre – full size
  • Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre – full size (97m x 60m)
  • Stourton Park (Stourbridge RFC) – full size
  • Broad Lane Pavilion – 5v5

The 3G FTP at Stourbridge RFC is predominately used for rugby and there is no reported community use for football. For this reason this pitch has been excluded from the demand modelling.

The pitch at Cheslyn Hay although not full size is heavily utilised for affiliated team training. The steering group decided to include this facility in the demand modelling.

Additionally, there are currently no small-sided 3G FTP centre's in South Staffordshire.

Three of the 3G FTPs are available for community use. The pitch at Codsall Leisure Centre is on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommended that the FTPs at Cheslyn Hay and Penkridge Leisure centre’s are checked and added to the register to enable more match play on 3G.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is uneven. There are provision gaps in east and south of the District and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Local consultation reveals common issues with a lack of availability in relation to training demand; a number of the larger clubs within South Staffordshire suggest that they are unable to train on 3G FTPs or are only able to train at undesirable times.

3 Current 3G FTPs
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 noted below has been endorsed by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographic spread, success and quality of existing facilities:

1 - Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre – resurface existing floodlit 11v11 3G FTP, and install new (additional) floodlit 11v11 3G FTP to create mini hub site

  • Existing facilities: one floodlit 11v11 3G FTP, indoor football facility with standard quality changing facilities. The FTP is not full size (97m x60m), however it has been included in the demand modelling as the facility is heavily utilised for affiliated training.
  • Existing users: 19 teams from Hawkins Sports and Wyrley Juniors use the 3G FTP for training, pitch is also used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

2 - Wombourne Leisure Centre/Ounsdale High School - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: Sports Hall with standard quality changing facilities. Four full sized and three mini grass pitches located at school (leisure centre and school share the site).
  • Existing users: sports hall utilised for recreational football. 11 affiliated teams us grass pitches, teams are from clubs including; AFC Hinksford, FC Crystal, Gornal Colts, Trysull Sunday, Trysull Tigers, Wombourne, and Wombourne Colts.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

    Further to the above identified projects, site 20 has been identified on the basis that there is a requirement for a full size 3G in the Brierley Hill area of Dudley. However this has been identified as being best pursued at Eagle Park (Kewford Eagles) in South Staffordshire rather than within Dudley. The Club considers itself to be Dudley based but its home ground is located just over the local authority border within South Staffordshire, therefore whilst the project is a priority for Dudley based demand, it features as a priority project within this LFFP given South Staffordshire District Council acts as the planning authority on the land.

20 - Eagle Park - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: 11 full size grass pitches with good quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 36 teams from Kewford Eagles FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

Current and proposed 3G FTP’s

Pitchfinder

Improved Grass Pitches

05

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 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

There are currently 17 grass pitch sites in South Staffordshire with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 70 grass pitches. At these sites the majority of pitches are classed as being of standard quality, with two sites being classed as poor (2014 PPS).

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

NB it is recommended that the playing pitch strategy for South Staffordshire is updated in order to provide an updated assessment of playing pitch quality.

17 Key grass pitch sites
4 Sites prioritised for improvement
10 Full-sized pitch equivalents at these sites

Priority projects

Four priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Three sites have three or more full-size pitch equivalents of standard quality. The fourth site is a site earmarked for future development. Pitch quality ratings were evidenced by PPS / FA data and qualified by local partners. Due to significant number of grass pitch sites in South Staffordshire local partners did not select all sites and prioritised only four – which incorporate ten full-size pitch equivalents. The prioritisation was endorsed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites that were best utilised and of strategic focus to improve Local Authority and club pitches:

3 - Featherstone Village (site TBC) – works to natural grass pitches (pitch development)

  • Existing facilities: N/A. New proposed site as part of new housing development.
  • Existing users: N/A.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women & girls.

*site not listed on map below.

4 - Perton Playing Fields – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: three full grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: utilised for local match play from senior and junior teams. Site is managed by Perton Parish Council, it has a desire to improve the site to enable further use.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women’s and girls.

5 - Old Wulfrians Sports & Social Club – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two full size and two junior grass pitches with standard quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: one of three primary sites for Old Wulfrians (19 teams).
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women’s and girls.

6 - Four Ashes Playing Field – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: one full size and two junior grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: affiliated teams from AFC Essington Hounds. Potential for more teams to utilise the site if improved.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

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 pitches 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 17 key sites with three or more full size pitch equivalents in South Staffordshire, 11 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, six have existing facilities that need improvement/ replacement and none have no facilities and require a new changing pavilion.

The steering group also decided to include one potential multi FTP site and a number of strategically important grass pitch sites with two full size pitch equivalents.

11 key sites have suitable changing rooms/ pavilions/ clubhouses
6 require improvement/ replacement
7 have no facilities and require new builds

Priority projects

13 priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Each project has either no facilities or was assessed against a standard criteria to have an unsuitable pavilion:

1 - Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre – new changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one floodlit 11v11 3G FTP, indoor football facility with standard quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 19 teams from Hawkins Sports and Wyrley Juniors use the 3G FTP for training, pitch is also used for recreational football. Project only to be considered if new 3G FTP project is progressed, current provision is not adequate for multi FTP site.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

2 - Wombourne Leisure Centre/Ounsdale High School - new changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: Sports Hall with standard quality changing facilities. Four full sized and three mini grass pitches located at school (leisure centre and school share the site).
  • Existing users: sports hall utilised for recreational football. 11 affiliated teams us grass pitches, teams are from clubs including; AFC Hinksford, FC Crystal, Gornal Colts, Trysull Sunday, Trysull Tigers, Wombourne, and Wombourne Colts. Project only to be considered if new 3G FTP project is progressed, current provision is not adequate to cater for FTP and grass pitches.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

3 - Featherstone Village (site TBC) – works to natural grass pitches (pitch development)

  • Existing facilities: N/A. New proposed site as part of new housing development.
  • Existing users: N/A.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women & girls.

*site not listed on map below.

4 - Perton Playing Fields – refurbished changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: three full grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: utilised for local match play from senior and junior teams. Site is managed by Parish Council, it has a desire to improve the site to enable further use.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women’s and girls.

6 - Four Ashes Playing Field – refurbished changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one full size and two junior grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities
  • Existing users: affiliated teams from AFC Essington Hounds. Potential for more teams to utilise the site if improved.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

7 - Codsall Leisure Centre / Codsall Community High School – new Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one floodlit 11v11 3G FTP, indoor football facility with standard quality changing facilities. Current changing facilities are inadequate for site, especially when FTP and grass pitches are in use, limited access through school which shares the site.
  • Existing users: teams from Brewood Juniors and Billbrook Juniors utilise the FTP for training. Grass pitches are used by six teams from Codsall Community High School, Castlecroft Rangers & Tattenhall Royal Oak.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, cross curricular use senior football, BAME participation, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

8 - Penkridge Leisure Centre/Wolgarston High School – new Changing Pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one floodlit 11v11 3G FTP, indoor football facility, four full size grass pitches. Current changing facilities are inadequate for site, especially when FTP and grass pitches are in use, limited access through school which shares the site.
  • Existing users: 16 teams from Chase Colts and Penkridge Juniors utilise the FTP for training. Grass pitches are used by nine teams from Hawkins Sports, Stafford Rangers, Cross Keys FC, and Penkridge Juniors.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, cross curricular use senior football, BAME participation, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

9 - Stag Meadow (Kinver Colts) – new changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one full sized and one junior grass pitches with no changing facilities
  • Existing users: 13 affiliated teams from Kinver Colts.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women and girls.

10 - The Harrisons Ground (Wyrley Rangers) – new changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: two full sized grass pitches with poor changing facilities
  • Existing users: seven affiliated teams from Wryley Juniors. Potential for more teams from club to utilise site in 2018/2019 season.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women and girls.

11 - Cheslyn Hay Recreation Ground – refurbished changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: four full sized grass pitches with poor changing facilities
  • Existing users: five affiliated teams from clubs including; Harrisons FC, Hawkins Sports Juniors, New Talbot FC, The Colliers Arms First.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

12 - Hawkins Sports Club – refurbished changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: two full sized grass pitches with poor changing facilities
  • Existing users: eight affiliated teams from Hawkins Sports FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football., women and girls.

13 - Trysull Playing Fields – refurbished changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: two full size and two junior grass pitches with poor changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 14 affiliated teams from Trysull Tigers.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women and girls.

14 - Twentyman Playing Fields – refurbished changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one full size and two junior grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities
  • Existing users: affiliated teams from AFC Essington Hounds. Potential for more teams to utilise the sites if improved.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

Priority changing room pavilion 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 spaces
6 MUGAs
0 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)

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

14 - Twentyman Playing Fields – upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: one full size and two junior grass pitch with poor quality changing facilities. Dilapidated MUGA. Dilapidated MUGA also on site.
  • Existing users: affiliated teams from AFC Essington Hounds. Potential for more teams to utilise the sites if improved. Site used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

15 - Station Park (Cheslyn Hay) – upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: dilapidated MUGA.
  • Existing users: the site is heavily used by young people for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower socio – economic groups.

16 - Park Space at Huntington Village – new MUGA

  • Existing facilities: none.
  • Existing users: used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

*site not listed on map below.

17 - Park Space at Primrose Close (Wheaton Aston)– new MUGA

  • Existing facilities: none.
  • Existing users: used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

18 - Essington (site TBC) – new MUGA

  • Existing facilities: none.
  • Existing users: n/a.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups

    *site not listed on map below.

19 - Codsall Village Hall – new MUGA

  • Existing facilities: none.
  • Existing users: n/a.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

Parks and open green spaces

Following local consultation, no locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on highly popular local parks and open green spaces with suitable space / areas to increase informal football.

A number of key strategic recreation grounds and open spaces in South Staffordshire have existing MUGA’s which are well utilised for informal football. Through consultation findings and consideration from the steering group it was decided that the focus should be on improving the MUGA’s located in these locations, as well as identifying new locations for MUGA’s:

-Twentyman Playing Fields

-Station Park (Cheslyn Hay)

-Park space at Huntington Village

-Park Space at Springfield Drive (Wheaton Aston)

-Essington (site TBD)

-Codsall Village Hall

Small sided facilities

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.

1

1 - Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre

Location

CHESLYN HAY LEISURE CENTRE CHESLYN HAY LEISURE CENTRE SAREDON ROAD, CHESLYN HAY, Staffordshire, WS6 7JQ

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

4.0/4

Overall score

92% (11.0/12)

Project Focus

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

2

2 - Wombourne Leisure Centre

Location

WOMBOURNE LEISURE CENTRE Ounsdale Road, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV5 8BJ

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

4.0/4

Overall score

92% (11.0/12)

Project Focus

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

20

20 - Eagle Park

Location

EAGLE PARK SWINDON ROAD, KINGSWINFORD, Staffordshire, DY6 0AW

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

Football club

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.9/4

Overall score

91% (10.9/12)

Project Focus

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

6

6 - Four Ashes Playing Field

Location

FOUR ASHES PLAYING FIELD STATION DRIVE, FOUR ASHES, WOLVERHAMPTON, Staffordshire, WV10 7BU

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Youth male

10

10 - The Harrisons Ground

Location

HARRISONS GROUND LONG LANE, WALSALL, Staffordshire, WS6 6AT

Facilities
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

12

12 - Hawkins Sports Club

Location

HAWKINS SPORTS CLUB COPPICE LANE, CHESLYN HAY, WALSALL, Staffordshire, WS6 7EY

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

13

13 - Trysull Playing Fields

Location

TRYSULL PLAYING FIELDS The Green, Trysull, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV5 7HW

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

19

19 - Codsall Village Hall

Location

CODSALL VILLAGE HALL WOLVERHAMPTON ROAD, CODSALL, WOLVERHAMPTON, Staffordshire, WV8 1PW

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

3

3 - Featherstone Village (site TBC)

Location

Location details: Site TBC

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.8/4

Overall score

71% (8.6/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

4

4 - Perton Playing Fields

Location

PERTON PLAYING FIELDS 1 Gainsborough Drive, WOLVERHAMPTON, Staffordshire, WV6 7NR

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
  • Refurbish 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

Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

5

5 - Old Wulfrians Sports & Social Club

Location

OLD WULFRUNIANS SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB 253A CASTLECROFT ROAD, WOLVERHAMPTON, Staffordshire, WV3 8NA

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (4)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

7

7 - Codsall Leisure Centre

Location

CODSALL LEISURE CENTRE Codsall County High School Elliotts Lane, Codsall, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV8 1PG

Facilities
  • 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

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

8

8 - Penkridge Leisure Centre

Location

PENKRIDGE LEISURE CENTRE CANNOCK ROAD, PENKRIDGE, STAFFORD, Staffordshire, ST19 5RX

Facilities
  • 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

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

9

9 - Stag Meadow

Location

STAG MEADOW 0, TRINITY COURT HIGH STREET, KINVER, STOURBRIDGE, Staffordshire, DY7 6ER

Facilities
  • 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

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

11

11 - Cheslyn Hay Recreation Ground

Location

CHESLYN HAY RECREATION GROUND ROSEMARY ROAD, WALSALL, Staffordshire, WS6 7DY

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

14

14 - Twentyman Playing Fields Association

Location

TWENTYMAN PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION TWENTYMAN PLAYING FIELDS JOEYS LANE, BILBROOK, Staffordshire, WV8 1JL

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth male

15

15 - Station Park (Cheslyn Hay)

Location

STATION PARK STATION STREET, CHELSYN HAY, STAFFORDSHIRE, WS12 4UD

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

16

16 - Park Space at Huntington Village

Location

PARK SPACE AT HUNTINGTON VILLAGE COLLIERS WAY, HUNTINGTON, STAFFORDSHIRE, WS12 4UD

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

17

17 - Park Space at Primrose Close (Wheaton Ashton)

Location

Park Space at Primrose Close PRIMROSE CLOSE, WHEATON ASHTON, STAFFORDSHIRE, ST19 9PX

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

18

18 - Essington (site TBC)

Location

Location details: SITE TBC

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

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

  • Area Manager. Community Services – South Staffordshire District Council
  • Community Wellbeing and Partnership Manager – South Staffordshire District Council
  • Chairman – Hawkins Sports FC
  • Chairman – Seisdon & Trysull Playing Fields Association
  • Chairman – Wyrley JFC
  • Clerk – Kinver Parish Council
  • Head of Strategy & Investment – Staffordshire Football Association
  • Policy & Research Manager – South Staffordshire Housing Association •

Survey responses were received from the following affiliated clubs:

  • Wyrley JFC

South Staffordshire District Council also send out an LFFP specific survey to all Parish Councils in the District, responses were received from the following:

  • Bilbrook Parish Council
  • Brewood & Coven Parish Council
  • Cheslyn Hay Parish Council
  • Codsall Parish Council
  • Enville Parish Council
  • Huntington Parish Council
  • Pattingham & Patshull Parish Council
  • Penkridge Parish Council
  • Perton Parish Council
  • Sarendon Parish Council
  • Seisdon & Trysull Parish Council
  • Wombourne Parish Council

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