Local Football Facility Plan Stevenage

Stevenage is in the South East Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2018 Mid-Year Estimate) is 87,754. This is expected to rise to 98,401 by 2039.

Stevenage is ranked 16 out of 47 LAs in the region, and 139 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Stevenage's ethnic composition is primarily white (87.66%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of its population represented by the BAME community is 12.34%. This is slightly below the national average (14.6%).

Local authority

The Stevenage Borough Council Local Plan was adopted in May 2019. It sets out how Stevenage will develop in the future and notes the intention to provide around 7,600 new homes, alongside new jobs and community facilities. The council has a Sports Facility Assessment and Strategy. 2014 – 2031 which includes outdoor facilities and grass pitches which was used to inform the local plan.

County Football Association

Stevenage 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 Stevenage FC Foundation runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Stevenage Leisure Ltd is the key leisure operator in Stevenage. It currently runs a number of key sites including:

• Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre
• Stevenage Swimming Centre
• Fairlands Valley Park and Sailing Centre
• Stevenage Golf and Conference Centre

Stevenage Leisure also manage and operate a variety of health education engagement and sports activities and Stevenage Borough Council work with key stakeholders and partners including Public Health and Hertfordshire County Council in providing a wide range of health, wellbeing and sports activities across the town.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Stevenage. 13 individuals (representing 11 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Bedwell Rangers FC
• Stevenage Borough Juniors FC
• The Thomas Alleyne Academy
• The Nobel School
• The Barnwell School
• The Valley Sports Academy
• Stevenage Borough Juniors

(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. Stevenage has a total of 175 teams, which is comparable to local areas of a similar size.

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

Over the last ten years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Stevenage, four clubs have more than 10 registered teams. These (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Bedwell Rangers - 45 teams
• Stevenage Borough Juniors - 55 teams
• Stevenage Starlets - 11 teams.
• AFC Walkern - 12 teams

Leagues

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

Unsurprisingly, based upon the above, the County FA reports considerable team cross boundary migration to play matches.

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 Stevenage there are three 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. Stevenage has one FA Wildcats girls football centre and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 29, Stevenage'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 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 which play in ad-hoc tournaments and one-off events delivered by Hertfordshire FA, Regional Youth Futsal Series and leagues at key site locations including 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 Stevenage, however it is anticipated that one will be delivered and recorded in place for July 2020. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations such as Stevenage FC Foundation - supported by Stevenage Borough Council. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include pro club community programmes and casual bookings delivered by a range of organisations including Herts Sports Partnership, Watford CSE Trust and Stevenage FC Foundation.

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 Stevenage is played at a variety of sites across the Authority area.

The key strength of local football in Stevenage has been club growth and development. This had led to two clubs having 20+ teams and it is recommended that it is further encouraged. However, there are issues one of which is the transition of male and female youth teams/players into adult football. It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Stevenage 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 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 Stevenage. 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 is currently one full-sized (11v11) 3G FTP in Stevenage located at The Valley Sports Academy, which is a privately run site. The Steering Group agreed not to list it as a community available facility as the pitch has limited community use and a pricing policy is too high for some clubs.

In addition to this Stevenage FC (Shephalbury site ) run three 6-a-side pitches (40m x 23m FTP) and four 5-a-side pitches (30m x 20m FTP). These are predominantly used by its Academy and they provide some opportunities for recreational play.

The above facilities operate pricing structures that do not reflect the recommended guidance from the Football Foundation.

There are the following small sided 3G FTPs available for community use:

• Marriott’s Sports Centre (0.75)
• Round Diamond School (0.5)*
• Giles Junior School (0.5)
• Larwood School (0.25)

*Although the Round Diamond School is located in the Authority of North Herts, the facility absorbs significant demand from the clubs in Stevenage, and consequently, the pitch is included in the overall supply for the Authority.

None of the existing pitches are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning that none are quality checked in respect of their use for football match play). The Valley Sports Academy 3G FTP is nearing the end of its lifespan and if it is replaced it is recommended that a new community use agreement is put in place. This facility is a valuable community asset that lacks engagement with the council, key stakeholders and the wider football community.

The lack of knowledge on usage, fees and charges and known under utilisation inhibits the ability to have a coordinated approach in Stevenage to maximising key strategic community facilities within the town

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 175 teams in Stevenage, there is a requirement for 4.5 full sized 3G FTPs. Based on the community available facilities outlined above, it is calculated that there is a requirement for 2.5 full sized pitch equivalents.

The geographic spread of existing facilities are located in the south of the borough. There are gaps in the East and North due to the high levels of unmet affiliated demand and substantial local populations.

Local consultation with grassroots clubs confirms the issues associated with limited availability, high pricing, significant travel distances and lack of opportunity for match play on 3G (particularly on a full sized 3G pitches for matches) and implementing the recommendations will look to address this.

The Steering Group suggested the following full sized 3G projects; a double 3G FTP hub in the East and a full sized pitch in the north of the borough. In addition, a small sided facility was also proposed at Barnwell School. If the pitch at The Valley Sports Academy 3G FTP is replaced, it is recommended that a new community use agreement is put in place to ensure community usage at affordable prices.

Additional housing growth to the west of Stevenage could also provide an opportunity for 3G FTP provision and it should be kept under review. These proposals reflect the need to address demand from affiliated football, provide geographic spread and serve key local communities.

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 10 grass pitch sites in Stevenage with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 37 grass pitches. Of the 10, it was determined that four should be prioritised. This will result in quality improvements to 11 pitches. In addition, the East of Stevenage 3G option (Chells Park or Ridlins Park- both two pitch sites) has also been identified for investment should a strategic site be located here, resulting in five sites identified for investment.

Five priority projects for potential investment are identified.

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 10 key grass pitch sites in Stevenage with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) three have suitable changing rooms, three require improvement/replacement and four have no facilities and require a new changing rooms.

In addition to the grass pitch sites proposed, new ancillary facilities may be required (depending upon specific location) for new 3G FTP developments at two additional sites.

Nine priority projects 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 will require improvement to develop small-sided football.

Three potential opportunities to develop MUGAs are identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site serving an area of significant population and corresponding high local demand for informal football.

Following local consultation, and assisted by the Sport England Green Spaces Mapping Tool, one location is identified to support small sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on the fact that it is a popular local park with suitable space / areas to make provision for 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:

• Bedwell Rangers FC - Welfare Officer
• Stevenage Borough Juniors FC - Treasurer
• England Hockey - Relationship Manager
• Stevenage Borough Council - Culture, Wellbeing and Leisure Services Manager
• Stevenage Borough Council - Community Sports and Leisure Development Officer
• Stevenage Borough Council - Environmental Policy & Development Manager
• Herts Sports Partnership - Strategic Lead for Sport
• The Thomas Alleyne Academy - Estates Manager
• Headmistress' PA - Michaela Community School
• The Nobel School - Business Manager
• The Barnwell School - Business Manager
• Barclay Academy - Head of PE
• The Valley Sports Academy