Local Football Facility Plan St Albans

St Albans is in the South-East Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2018 Mid-Year Estimate) is 147,373. This is expected to rise to 163,727 by 2039.

St Albans is ranked 47 out of 47 LAs in the region, and 319 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

St Alban's ethnic composition is primarily white (88.42%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of St Alban’s population represented by the BAME community is 11.58%. This is below the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

The St Albans City and District Council draft Local Plan 2020-2036 sets out the planning policies and proposals for the future development of the City and District of St Albans. It establishes the Council’s long term spatial planning strategy for delivering and managing development and infrastructure, and for environmental protection and enhancement.

Underpinning research for the Authority Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) was undertaken in 2019. Whilst it has been used as supporting evidence for the Local Plan, it has not been signed off by the relative national governing bodies of sport and has, therefore, is not used as the evidence base for the LFFP at this time.

County football association

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

Football Foundation

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

Sport England

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

Professional community club organisations (CCOs)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

1Life and Everyone Active are the key leisure operators in St Albans. They currently run several key sites across the District.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in St Albans. 40 individuals (representing 30 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School
• Cotlandswick Leisure Centre
• Harpenden Town Council
• Harpenden Colts FC

(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. St Albans has a total of 387 teams, which is higher than 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 St Albans, seven clubs have more than 10 registered teams. These (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Harpenden Colts - 75 teams
• St Albans City Youth - 84 teams
• Harvesters FC - 41 teams.
• London Colney Youth FC - 10 teams
• London Colney Colts & Cougars - 17 teams
• Wheathampstead Wanderers - 47 teams
• St Albans Rangers Youth FC - 14 teams

Leagues

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

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

The County FA reports some cross boundary migration between the various local authorities in Hertfordshire.

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 St Albans there are 11 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. St Albans has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 30, St Alban’s number of female teams is comparable to local areas of a similar size. The County FA’s priority is to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls’ league is the Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League in which matches are played on a central venue basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire County Women’s League. It too plays matches on a home and away basis and is expected to sustain its provision in future years.

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

Small sided football

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

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

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

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it is played on an indoor surface with hockey-sized goals and a size 4 football with reduced ball bounce. It is the FA’s aim to ensure that futsal is available across the country. There are currently 43 futsal teams in Hertfordshire playing in ad-hoc tournaments and one-off events delivered by Hertfordshire FA, Regional Youth Futsal Series and leagues run at key site locations including the University of Hertfordshire, Ridgeway Academy, Aldenham Sports Centre, Ashlyns School, Longdean School, The Hemel Hempstead School, Clement Danes School, Hitchin Girls School and The Royal Masonic School. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for youth 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 no FA Just Play centres in St Albans. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations such as Watford CSE Trust that are supported by St Albans Council. Other local recreational football programmes include community based recreational programmes and active lifestyle programmes which are delivered by a range of organisations including Herts Sports Partnership and Watford CSE 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 St Albans is played at a variety of sites across the Authority area.

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

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

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

Each priority project that progresses to a funding application via the Football Foundation will produce a detailed ‘site development plan’ specifying all football development activity, usage and key partner engagement.

This section reviews existing football facility assets in St Albans. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment. Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed in line with four investment priorities:

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

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

While 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 full-sized (11v11) 3G FTPs in St Albans located at:

• Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School (1)
• Roundwood Park School (1)
• Samuel Ryder Academy (1)
• Sandringham School (1)

In addition there are currently four small-sided 3G FTPs in St Albans:

• Cotlandswick Leisure Centre (1 x 5v5 FTP plus eight recreational cages) (0.25)
• Harpenden Sports Centre (1 x 5v5) (0.25)
• Harvesters Football Club (1 x 7v7) (0.5)
• Marfold Field (1 x 5v5 FTP) (0.25)

In addition, a full size 3G FTP is currently in development without funding via the Football Foundation at Oaklands College. It has been agreed that, at the point of development of this Plan, this facility should be discounted until it is operational and the level of community access is fully understood.

St Columba's College also has planning permission for a youth 11v11 3G FTP. If developed, this facility will also be developed without funding from the Football Foundation.

There is no current PPS and, therefore, demand for full sized 3G FTPs has been calculated using the FA training ratio model 1:38. On the basis that there are 387 teams in St Albans, there is a requirement for ten full sized 3G FTP equivalents . Given that current supply is calculated at 5.5 (including the four small sided sites) the shortfall is 4.5 full-sized pitch equivalents.

All the current full size 3G FTPs in St Albans are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). The small sided 3G FTP at Harvesters Football Club is also on the register.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is even. There are however provision gaps in Redbourn, Wheathampstead, Harpenden, London Colney and Central St Albans which have high levels of population and in which there is substantial demand for affiliated football. It it is recommended that these are addressed.

Six priority projects for potential investment are identified to address the shortfall in St Albans. This includes four new 3G FTPs, a potential project to reconfigure existing 3G provision at Coltslandwick Leisure Centre (to increase match play at the site) plus the proposed youth 11v11 3G FTP at Harvesters FC. Projects have been put forward on the basis of the need to service training and match play demand for affiliated football and generic demand in the key settlements in the District.

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 20 grass pitch sites in St Albans with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 66 grass pitches.

Of the 20 key pitch sites referenced above it was determined that 10 should be prioritised. This will result in quality improvements to 41 pitches.

Local consultation confirms the issue of poor grass pitch quality and it is recommended that this is addressed.

10 priority projects for potential investment are identified. 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 20 key grass pitch sites in St Albans with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) 13 have suitable changing rooms, four require improvement/replacement and three require a new changing pavilion.

In addition to the 20 key sites noted above, new ancillary provision may be required should a 3G FTP be developed as part of the Central 3G project in St Albans, however, this is not listed as a priory project below.

Seven 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 two indoor facilities that require improvement to develop small-sided football.

One potential opportunity to upgrade a MUGA has been identified based upon site being positioned so as to service areas of substantial population with, for the area, 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 three locations are identified to support small sided informal football. These will be based in key local parks and open green spaces which have suitable space / areas to develop informal football provision.

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:

• Leisure Contracts Officer - St Albans City & District Council
• Leisure Services Manager - St Albans City & District Council
• Green Spaces and Cemeteries Team Leader - St Albans City and District Council
• St Albans City and District Council – Spatial Planning Officer
• Head of Facilities and Inclusion - Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust
• Herts Sports Partnership - Strategic Lead for Sport
• Sports Development Officer - 1Life
• St Albans Girl's School - Trust Business Manager
• Samuel Ryder Academy - Assistant Headteacher
• Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School – Business Manager
• Katherine Warington School – Business Manager
• Cotlandswick Leisure Centre – General Manager
• Oaklands College – Football and Training Coordinator
• Hertfordshire County Council – Cllr Anthony Rowlands
• City Neighbourhood Committee – Chair
• Wheathampstead Parish Council - Clerk
• St Stephens Parish Council - Assistant Clerk
• St Stephens Parish Council - Senior Groundsman
• Sandridge Parish Council - Clerk
• Sir John Lawes School - Head of PE
• Harpenden Town Council - Town Clerk
• Redbourn Recreation Centre & Playing Fields Trust - Chair
• Redbourn Recreation Centre & Playing Fields Trust - Director
• Herts Advertiser Sunday Football League
• London Colney Colts & Cougars FC - Chairman
• St Albans City Youth - Secretary
• St Albans City Youth - Football Development Officer
• St Albans City Youth - Football Development Officer
• Harpenden Town FC - Chairman
• Victoria Playing Fields FC - Chairman
• Harpenden Colts FC - Chairman
• Harpenden Colts FC - Secretary
• London Colney Youth FC - Chairman
• London Colney Youth FC - Welfare Officer
• Harvesters FC - Secretary
• St Albans City FC - Owner
• St Albans City FC - Stadium Manager
• St Albans Rangers Youth FC - Chairman
• The Gate FC (via club survey)
• Hansbury FC (via club survey)