Local Football Facility Plan Stockton-on-Tees

Stockton-on-Tees is located in the North East region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 196,487. This is expected to rise to 205,998 by 2039.

The ethnic composition of Stockton-on-Tees is primarily white (94.6%). This is substantially higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of the Stockton-on-Tees population represented by the BAME community is 5.4%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

The proportion of the Stockton-on-Tees population that are inactive (34%) is substantially above the figure for England as a whole (26%)

Local authority

Stockton-on-Tees Council has a Corporate Strategy, Big Plans Bright Future. The vision is of a Borough that is more confident, more vibrant and more successful than ever before. In relation to sport and leisure, this includes the aim to provide a variety of opportunities help people sustain healthier lifestyles and support well being. High quality, accessible leisure facilities to residents and visitors are consider key to achieving this.

The Council Playing Pitch Strategy was adopted in 2016. Key findings from the refresh are that 54% of the community available pitches are rated as standard, with 37% good and 9% poor. Overall in Stockton-on-Tees, there is current and future spare capacity on adult pitches. Conversely, there are current and future shortfalls across all other pitch types. The PPS also recommended need for at least five full size 3G pitches. This compares to a current need of six pitches using the latest affiliation data and the FA demand model.

County football association

Stockton-on-Tees is covered by both the Durham County FA and North Riding County Football Associations. They provide governance and development support to all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. The County FAs have designated facilities investment lead officers 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 club community organisations (CCOs)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Middlesbrough Community Foundation delivers a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities in the Stockton area. These are mainly run from its Herlingshaw Centre and the Riverside Stadium - both located in Middlesbrough although it runs a number of satellite programmes in Stockton-on-Tees. In Stockton, the Foundation delivers three programmes. These are: Premier League Kicks, Premier League Girls and also a Building Better Opportunities programme for adults over the age of 30 looking to get back into employment. The main site the Foundation uses in Stockton is the Corner House Youth Centre.

Local leisure operator

Tees Active (a charitable social enterprise) is the main leisure operator in the Authority. It currently operates a number of leisure centre and adventure sports site. These include Stockton Splash, Thornaby Pool, Thornaby Pavilion, Billingham Forum, the North Shore Watersports Centre and the Tees Barrage. It is also scheduled to take on the management of the new Ingleby Barwick Leisure Centre which is scheduled to open in summer 2020.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Stockton-on-Tees . 11 individuals (representing seven local organisations) were spoken to. Agencies consulted include:

• Stockton-on-Tees Council
• Middlesbrough in the Community
• On-site Building Trust
• Norton and Stockton Ancients FC
• TIBBS 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. A total of 190 teams located in Stockjton-on-Tees affiliate to Durham County FA while 37 local teams affiliated to the North Riding County FA. Overall the number of teams is considered to be slightly lower than comparable areas.

The FA is investing to support clubs both on and off the pitch; this 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 Stockton-on-Tees eight clubs have more than 10 registered teams. These (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Leven AFC Youth- 34 teams
• Stockton Town FC – 21 teams
• TIBS FC – 18 teams
• Billingham Juniors FC - 17 teams
• Thornaby FC – 12 Teams
• Billingham Synthonia FC - 13 teams
• Norton & Stockton Ancients FC - 21 teams
• Eaglescliffe Elementis Juniors FC -12 teams

Five leagues operate in Stockton-on-Tees. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including youth and adults . While there are no specific league opportunities for disability within Stockton-on-Tees, suitable provision is made in neighbouring Middlesbrough by the North East Ability Counts League.

Stockton-on-Tees largest local leagues (2018-19) include:

• Stockton Sunday Football League (Adult) – 34 teams– home and away
• Teesside Junior Football Alliance - 98 teams - home and away

The County FA reports significant cross boundary migration to/from Stockton-on-Tees primarily due to teams playing matches in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance League.

Disability football

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

In Stockton-on-Tees there are no football teams 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. Stockton-on-Tees has one FA Wildcats girls football centre and the priority is to grow this activity.

At eight, Stockton-on-Tees' number of female teams is lower than local areas of a similar size. Both the county FAs give priority to supporting existing clubs to grow and encourage more to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls league is the Russell Foster Girls’ Youth League in which matches are played on a home and away and central venue basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Durham County FA’s Women’s League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It too is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Teesside Girls’ RTC located in Middlesbrough. 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 Durham Women’s FC, which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small-sided football

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

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

Key local providers include:

• Soccer Sixes at Stockton Riverside College
• Stockton Power League
• Stockton Town FC
• Conyers 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 four 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 Stockton-on-Tees. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for male, female, youth and 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 is currently no FA Just Play centre in Stockton-on-Tees, whilst walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FAs prioritise for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include casual bookings which are delivered by a range of organisations including Stockton Town FC and Middlesbrough in the Community.

The key strengths of local football in Stockton-on-Tees include large multi team clubs, youth/adult football and local youth/adult leagues provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist particularly in relation to disability and women & girls football.

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Stockton-on-Tees are:

1. Women & girls (including Wildcats Programme)
2. Disability Football
3. Small Sided & Futsal
4. Recreational Offer (including Walking Football, Just Play Centres & Flexible Football)
5. Affiliated Football (all formats)

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

In addition, 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 Stockton-on-Tees. 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.

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.

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.

FA data states that there are currently five full size 3G FTPs in Stockton-on-Tees. This is a shortfall of one available pitch relative to assessed demand calculated using the FA training demand model. (This differs from the 2016 PPS, as the number of affiliated teams has increased and the ratios applied in the FA training demand model have been slightly reduced from 1:42 to 1:38).

Another factor is the significant housing growth (of more than 3,000 new homes) planned in the north west of the Authority. The Authority also lacks a central venue football league which generates high demand for match play across a number of sites during Saturday and Sunday mornings.

All these contribute to increasing the demand for full-sized 3G FTPs hence the recommendation for additional provision over and above the requirement simply based upon the FA training demand model and the proposal to develop two full-sized FTPs.

Existing full size 3G FTPs in Stockton-on-Tees are located at:

• Conyers School
• Northfield Sportsdrome
• North Shore Academy
• Bede College Billingham
• Stockton Riverside Sports Centre

In addition, three sites currently provide small-sided 3G FTP provision:

• Powerleague (Stockton) - ten 5v5 FTPs
• Teesside High School - one 5v5 FTP
• Norton Sports Village - one 7v7 FTP

All full-sized 3G FTPs are available for community use. In addition to the sites listed it should be be noted that Billingham Rugby Club has a rugby compliant 3G pitch. This is, however, not considered to be available for community football use as its predominant use is for rugby. Two of the five full-sized 3G FTPs listed (Stockton Riverside Sports Centre and Northfield Sportsdrome) are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommend that the remaining three are assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G. . The geographic spread of existing facilities is even with provision in the north, central and southern areas of the Borough. The Powerleague site, has recently changed ownership to Soccer Sensations. The impact this takeover has had on site usage and pitch quality may need to be reviewed and considered within the first update of the Plan.

Confirming the points made above, local consultation highlights common issues with limited availability for training and match play on 3G. This is, in part due to to the poor quality of grass pitches which is considered to be forcing junior teams to access 3G on a frequent basis.

Three priority projects for potential investment are, thus, identified. This comprises of two sites for full-sized 3G FTPs and one site for small sided 3G provision.

Sites were selected based upon a rationale of good access, serving areas of high population density, enhancing geographic spread and, where feasible, serving people living in areas with high levels of deprivation:

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 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.

Often 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.

Pitch finder and PPS data indicates that there are currently 21 grass pitch sites in Stockton-on-Tees with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance).These contain 64 grass pitches.

Of these sites, nine are considered to have good quality pitches, nine are of standard quality and three are of poor quality. All poor and standard quality pitches have been identified for investment. In addition, the Local Authority is exploring possibilities of upgrading a school grass pitch site to support community use, resulting in 13 sites identified for investment.

Local consultation shows certain sites require investment, particularly in regards to drainage improvements, and it is recommended that this is addressed.

Thirteen priority projects for potential investment are identified. Each has three or more full-size pitch equivalents of poor or standard quality, or is smaller but is considered to be strategically significant.

Pitch quality rating was evidenced by the PPS and ratified by local partners. Site prioritisation was informed by local partners based upon the rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition which reflect the strategic focus on increasing 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 21 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) 16 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, two have facilities that need improvement/ replacement and three have no facilities and requires a new changing pavilion. In addition, the Local Authority is exploring possibilities of upgrading a school grass pitch site to support community use, the site will require a new changing pavilion.

Six priority projects for potential investment have been 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 reveals one indoor facility that requires improvement to develop small-sided football. Thornaby Pavilion is an eight court badminton sized sports hall that has the potential to be upgraded to support indoor football. Required investment includes relining the sports hall floor and providing new football specific equipment.

Opportunities to invest in 20 potential MUGA sites were identified during consultation and eight proposed projects are put forward in this plan. In certain cases, the need for a MUGA is a specific area is identified with several potential locations for it listed with the recommendation. In these cases, further feasibility work will be required to determine the preferred location.

In each case the rationale is based on the site being in or serving an area of high population density, with limited green space, high levels of deprivation, high levels of people from lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football.

Sport England recreational football mapping suggests that Stockton on Tees town centre and Thornaby are particular 'hot spot' locations in respect of high potential informal football demand from the local population.

The remaining 12 MUGA sites identified are existing facilities that would benefit from the installation of new or the refurbishment of existing floodlights. These are not included in this Plan as further work is required to determine the viability of these sites. Future consultation is proposed and once sites are confirmed the Plan should be updated to include them.

Following local consultation, one location has been identified to support small-sided informal football. The rationale is based upon it being located in a popular local park/open green spaces with suitable space / areas to increase informal football:

Sport Development and Leisure Manager: Stockton-on-Tees Council

Planning Manager: Stockton-on-Tees Council

Green Space and Parks Manager: Stockton-on-Tees Council

Asset Management: Stockton-on-Tees Council

Youth Services: Stockton-on-Tees Council

Facility Manager: Onsite Building Trust

League Chairman: Teeside Junior Football Association

Head of Leisure: Tees Active

Club Chairman: Thornaby FC

Club Chairman: Norton & Stockton Ancients FC

Community Manager: Middlesbrough in the Community