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Local Football Facility Plan Tendring

Introduction

01

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

  • Tendring District Council
  • Essex FA
  • Sport England
  • Active Essex
  • Football Foundation

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. The purpose of this plan is to identify the priority projects for potential investment in Tendring.

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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 Tendring.

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 Essex County FA and the Football Foundation.

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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Tendring

02

Local area

Tendring is located in the Essex region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 144,705. This is expected to rise to 171,499 by 2039.

37.0% of the Tendring population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups).

Tendring's ethnic composition is primarily White 97.5% and this is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Tendring’s population represented by the BAME community is 2.44%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

Demographics

  • 144,705 Current population (2017)
  • 171,499 Projected population (2039)
  • 3rd most deprived out of 47 local authorities in the region
  • 48th most deprived out of 326 local authorities in England

Ethnicity data

  • Asian (0.92%)
  • Black (0.31%)
  • Mixed (1.06%)
  • Other (0.15%)
  • White (97.55%)
33%
25%
26%

% of people that are inactive

  • Tendring
  • Region
  • England

ONS data and Sport England Active Lives Survey 2016/17

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Local partners

Local Authority

Tendring's Local Plan sets out the vision and key policies for the District to be implemented between 2013-2033. The Plan's vision is to ensure the Authority is a vibrant, healthy and attractive place to live, work and visit. To achieve this, one of the Local Authority's key objectives is to work with partners to improve the provision of both indoor and outdoor sports facilities in the District and also support proposals for future facilities.

The Authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy in place, which was produced in 2016. The key findings include a current shortfall of four 3G pitches, the majority of grass pitches are either rated as standard or poor, and there is a current and future shortfall of youth 11v11 and 9v9 pitches. The PPS also states that a 5v5 FTP is being built in Lawford as part of a housing development, however, consultation with the Authority states that this has yet to be developed.

The Local Authority manages four key leisure facilities. These are Clacton Leisure Centre, Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles, Manningtree Leisure Centre and Walton-on-the-Naze Lifestyles. There are two sand dressed pitches at Clacton Leisure Centre and Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles which are used by local teams, however, both sites are not suitable to accommodate match play demand.

Essex County Council and Active Essex have been successful in securing funding through the Sport England Local Delivery Pilot programme, primarily to increase levels of physical inactivity. Focusing on the three authorities of Basildon, Tending and Colchester. The pilot aims to:

  • Create transformational long-term change in the culture and systems of organisations that can have an impact on inactivity.
  • Increase the number of people living active lives, especially the under-represented groups of the elderly, low income families with dependent children, and people with poor mental health.
  • Improved wider outcomes of wellbeing, health, and stronger communities.

Currently the University of Essex is undertaking some initial research to understand what the structure of activities will be in the respective areas, to support the three aims. Research findings are due at the end of 2018.

County Football Association

Tendring is covered by the Essex County FA which provides governance 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.

Football Foundation Investment

10 Total grants
  • £2,465,302 Total project cost
  • £975,817 Total grant value
  • 8 Sites improved
  • 1 New 3G FTPs
  • 6 Changing rooms / pavilions
  • 0 Grass pitches improved

See Football Foundation website from more information: http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes

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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.

County Sports Partnership (CSP)

Active Essex is a publicly funded organisation supported by Essex County Council and Sport England. It aims to make sport accessible for all Essex residents by:

  • providing up-to-date information on sports, activities, events and programmes available in and around our county;
  • running training courses for those who are seeking a more structured involvement in sport and physical activity, for example as a coach or referee;
  • funding clubs, community sport initiatives and individuals through small grants;
  • partnering with other organisations and trusted third parties to increase the number and range of opportunities available;
  • advocating for improved and enhanced sport facilities, funding and engagement for the communities we serve.

As the strategic lead for physical activity across the county, in its 2017 - 2021 strategy it focuses on getting one million more people active by 2021.

Professional club community organisations (CCOs)

These continue to expand and enhance their range of community delivery, offering a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Colchester United Foundation runs a variety of sporting activities within the local area. Currently they deliver KICKS sessions in both Harwich and Clacton.

Local Leisure Operator

Tendring District Council directly manages its four main leisure centres: Clacton LC, Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles, Manningtree LC and Walton-on-the-Naze Lifestyles.

Local Consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Tendring. 12 individuals (representing eight local organisations) were consulted. These include:

  • Tendring Council
  • Active Essex
  • Essex County Council

(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. Tendring has a total of 189 teams, which is lower 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 Tendring, seven clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

  • Brightlingsea Regent FC / Youth / Girls - 12 teams
  • Elmden Rovers Youth - 10 teams
  • FC Clacton / Youth / Girls / Veterans - 25 teams
  • Frinton & Walton Youth / Girls - 22 teams
  • Great Bentley FC / Veterans / Youth - 12 teams
  • Holland FC / Youth - 17 teams
  • Little Oakley FC / Youth / Girls - 22 teams

Affiliated Teams

189 Teams
  • 55 Adult male teams
  • 3 Adult female teams
  • 68 Youth male teams
  • 11 Youth female teams
  • 4 Disability teams
  • 48 Mini-soccer teams

*The FA Whole Game System - Season 2017/18

Leagues

Five leagues operate in Tendring. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including youth and adults. Note: the Essex County Girls League, Womens League and the Essex Soccability League are county wide.

Tendring largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

  • Colchester and District Youth League – 353 teams – home and away
  • Essex & Suffolk Border League – 53 teams– home and away
  • Colchester & East Essex Football League – 18 teams – home and away
  • Colchester & District Sunday League – 43 teams – home and away
  • North Essex Veterans League – 10 teams – home and away

The County FA reports that there is low level cross boundary migration in Tendring with small numbers of teams migrating inwards and outwards to and from Suffolk.

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 Tendring there are four 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 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. Tendring has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 14, Tendring’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 Essex County Girls Football League and matches are played on a home and away basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Essex County Womens League and matches are played on a home and away and the league is expected to sustain its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is the Essex County Regional Talent Centre which is located in Colchester . 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 West Ham United Ladies 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.

There are no identified small sided providers in the local area.

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 Tendring. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for youth inclusive of boys and girls players .

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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 one FA Just Play Centre in Tendring. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Colchester United in the Community. 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 Colchester United in the Community.

Summary

The key strengths of local football in Tendring include women and girls, disability, walking football and youth provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include futsal.

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

  1. Provide a football hub for the local area to inspire football in the community.
  2. Develop a recreational offer for youth & adult players.
  3. Increased opportunities for girls aged 5-11 years.
  4. Develop an offer for youth & adult futsal.
  5. Grow the mini-soccer female affiliated game.

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 existing football facility assets in Tendring. 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 Ptiches (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, 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.

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Assets and Opportunities

FA data states that there are currently no full size 3G FTPs in Tendring. The PPS identified there is a requirement for four pitches, and current affiliation data based on the 1:42 FA Demand Model suggests there is a need for 4.5 pitches. The steering group agreed that the Plan will target the need for four pitches, and review this on an annual basis in relation to the latest affiliation data.

There is currently one small-sided 3G FTP. This is:

  • Little Oakley Memorial Club (60m*40m)

Local consultation highlights that there is a need for 3G provision in the Authority. Although training demand can be supported through the use of sand dressed facilities at Clacton Leisure Centre and Brightlingsea Sports Centre, there are no facilities to support match play. In addition, it is reported that some clubs are travelling to neighboring authorities to access 3G pitches.

0 Current 3G FTPs
4 More 3G FTPs required
2 More small-sided 3G FTPs required

Priority projects

Four priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Under supply was calculated using the PPS demand and supply model. Each site was selected by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographical spread, success and quality of existing facilities, high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups:

1- Clacton Leisure Centre: Install full size 3G FTPs and a small 5v5 3G FTP

  • Existing Facilities: Sand dressed pitch
  • Current users: Clacton FC and recreational users
  • Rationale: Opportunity to upgrade the site to become a football hub to support local football clubs, Clacton Coastal Academy and recreational users. Current facility has a sand dressed pitch which is approaching the end of its life. England Hockey is supportive of this proposal as long as the pitch at Harwich & Dovercourt leisure centre is resurfaced in order that Clacton HC can be relocated from Clacton LC. Harwich would then become the long term home for both Hockey clubs in the District. Justification for a double hub site also merited through significant housing growth in Clacton, with 2,700 new homes proposed over the next 10 years. Investment will support growth in the following: junior football, senior football, informal/recreational football, women and girls football and provide opportunities for people from lower socio – economic groups.

2- Brightlingsea Sports Centre: Install new full size 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: Sand dressed pitch
  • Current users: Brightlingsea Regents
  • Rationale: Replacement of sand dressed pitch, which has no reported hockey demand. EH are supportive of the resurface to 3G FTP. Pitch is currently managed by the Authority through a dual use agreement with the school. Opportunity to upgrade the pitch to support a number of clubs in the area, including Brightlingsea Regents and also Great Bentley FC. Consideration must be given to any potential development at Broad Lane (Colchester), as this site could influence demand in the west of Tendring. Investment will support growth in the following: junior football, senior football, informal/recreational football, women and girls football and provide opportunities for people from lower socio – economic groups.

3- Tendring Technology College: Install new 3G FTP (size to be determined)

  • Existing facilities: three full size equivalent pitches
  • Current users:: Frinton and Walton Youth FC
  • Rationale: There is need for a 3G FTP in the Town to support the school, the local football club (Frinton and Walton Youth FC) and recreational users, however, the size of the pitch needs to be confirmed based on the current and future demand. Following consultation, the steering group decided that the preferred location to accommodate all users would be the school campus. Investment will support growth in the following: junior football, senior football, informal/recreational football, women and girls football and provide opportunities for people from lower socio – economic groups.

4- The Harwich and Dovercourt High School: Install new 3G FTP (size to be determined)

  • Existing facilities: Ten full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion. .
  • Current users: Harwich & Parkeston Youth
  • Rationale: Limned provision in the west of the Authority. Site should be considered for a pitch (size to be determined based on current and future demand), to support affiliated football, education delivery and recreational use. Investment will support growth in the following: junior football, senior football, informal/recreational football, women and girls football and provide opportunities for people from lower socio – economic groups.

Current and proposed 3G pitches in Tendring

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 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.

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

PPS Data indicates that there are currently 10 grass pitch sites in Tendring with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 38 grass pitches. Of these, six sites are considered to have poor quality pitches.

10 Key grass pitch sites
6 Sites prioritised for improvement
26 Full-sized equivalents at these sites

Priority projects

Six priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Each site has three or more full-size pitch equivalents of poor quality. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by the PPS and qualified by local partners. The prioritisation was informed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition, that were most well utilised and had a strategic focus to improve Local Authority provision.

3- Tendring Technology College (Frinton Campus): Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Three full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Frinton & Walton Youth
  • Rationale: Poor quality pitches. Investment will support junior football, and women and girls football.

5- Frinton Park Playing Fields: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: nine full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Frinton & Walton Youth
  • Rationale: Home ground of Frinton & Walton Youth with poor quality pitches. Investment will support junior football, and women's and girls football.

6- Great Bentley Village Green: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Three full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Great Bentley FC
  • Rationale: Long term investment required to ensure this site remains a strategic site for football. Investment will support junior football, and women's and girls football.

7 - Vista Road (Clacton Leisure Centre): Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Three full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Grass pitches currently not used. If a double hub 3G FTP was to be developed at the site, the grass pitches need to be invested in to support football development in the Authority. Investment would support junior football, senior football and women and girls football.

8- Little Clacton Playing Fields: Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Five full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Little Oakley Youth
  • Rationale: Poor quality pitches. Investment will support junior football, and women and girls football.

22- Regent Road Recreation Ground : Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Three full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Brightlingsea Regent
  • Rationale: Poor quality pitches. Investment will support junior football, and women and girls football.

Current and proposed grass pitch improvement 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 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.

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Assets and Opportunities

Of the 10 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Tendring, six have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses , three have facilities that need improvement and there is one site which requires a new changing pavilion.

6 key sites have suitable changing rooms/pavillions/clubhouses
3 require improvement/replacement
1 have no facilities and require new builds

Priority projects

Four priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Each project has three or more full-size pitch equivalents and has either no facilities or was deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion:

4- The Harwich and Dovercourt High School: New changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: Ten full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion. .
  • Current users: Harwich & Parkeston Youth
  • Rationale: New changing pavilion to support potential 3G pitch. Investment will support growth in the following: junior football, senior football, informal/recreational football, women and girls football and provide opportunities for people from lower socio – economic groups.

5- Frinton Park Playing Fields: Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: nine full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Frinton & Walton Youth
  • Rationale: Changing room needs to be expanded to support the growing needs of the local Club. Investment will support junior football, and women's and girls football

6- Great Bentley Village Green: Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: Three full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Great Bentley FC
  • Rationale: Old facility requires upgrading. Investment will support junior football, and women's and girls football.

22- Regent Road Recreation Ground : Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: Three full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Brightlingsea Regent
  • Rationale: Poor quality changing provision. Investment will support junior football, and women and girls football.

Current changing rooms and ones identified for investment

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.

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Priority projects

2 Better Indoor spaces
10 MUGAs
0 Better parks / open green spaces

Indoor

Local consultation reveals there are two indoor facilities that require improvement to develop small-sided football. Including:

9. Clacton Youth Centre: Sport hall improvement

  • Existing facilities: one court activity hall
  • Current users: Essex County Council Youth Service
  • Rationale: poor quality activity hall currently delivering a series of diversionary activities. Investment will support recreational football.

10. Harwich Youth Centre: Sport hall improvement

  • Existing facilities: one court activity hall
  • Current users: Essex County Council Youth Service
  • Rationale: poor quality activity hall currently delivering a series of diversionary activities. Investment will support recreational football.

Current sports hall provision and sites identified for investment

Pitchfinder

Multi-use Games Areas (MUGAs)

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

11- Clacton Sea Front: New MUGA/Ball court

  • Existing facilities: n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: lack of recreational facilities along the sea front to support youth engagement. Investment will support recreational football.

12- Percy King Estate: MUGA upgrade

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: recreational users/informal activity.
  • Rationale: Poor quality MUGA. Investment will support recreational football.

13- . Royden Way, Frinton: MUGA upgrade

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: recreational users/informal activity.
  • Rationale: Poor quality MUGA. Investment will support recreational football.

14- Hartley Gardens (Clacton): New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: New housing estate with potential section 106 monies ring fenced to support this proposal. Investment will support recreational football.

15- Jaywick Lane (Clacton): New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: New housing estate with potential section 106 monies ring fenced to support this proposal. Investment will support recreational football.

16- Oakwood Estate (Clacton): New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: New housing estate with potential section 106 monies ring fenced to support this proposal. Investment will support recreational football.

17. Legerton Drive, Clacton: New MUGA

  • Existing facilities: n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: limited facilities on this housing estate with reported anti-social behavior. Investment will support recreational football.

18- Cliffe Park (Dovercourt): Yalp wall

  • Existing facilities: n/a
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Limited recreational opportunities in the local area. Section 106 funding available to support this development. Investment will support recreational football.

19- Walton-on-the-Naze-Lifestyles: Yalp Wall

  • Existing facilities: n/a
  • Current users: recreational users
  • Rationale: Expansion of the number of recreational facilities in the area. Investment will support recreational football. Section 106 funding available to support this development.

20- Jaywick Community and Resource Centre: Yalp Wall

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: recreational users
  • Rationale: New MUGA recently installed behind the back of the community centre, a Yalp wall will compliment this. Investment will support recreational football. Section 106 funding available to support this development.

Proposed small sided investment

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

Clacton Leisure Centre

Location

CLACTON LEISURE CENTRE VISTA ROAD, CLACTON-ON-SEA, Essex, CO15 6DB

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (2)
  • New 5v5 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Very High (4/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.9/4

Overall score

98% (11.8/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

22

Regent Road Recreational Ground

Location

REGENT ROAD RECREATION GROUND 48 REGENT ROAD, BRIGHTLINGSEA, COLCHESTER, Essex, CO7 0NW

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.4/4

Overall score

81% (9.7/12)

Project Focus

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

7

Vista Road

Location

VISTA ROAD RECREATION GROUND Vista Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 6DB

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.2/4

Overall score

79% (9.4/12)

Project Focus

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

5

Frinton Park Playing Fields

Location

FRINTON PARK PLAYING FIELD Bardfield Way, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, CO13 0AN

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (9)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

3

Tendring Technology College

Location

TENDRING TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE (FRINTON CAMPUS) ROCHFORD WAY, FRINTON-ON-SEA, Essex, CO13 0AZ

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.1/4

Overall score

68% (8.1/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues

6

Great Bentley Village Green

Location

GREAT BENTLEY VILLAGE GREEN Great Bentley, Colchester, Essex, CO7 8LA

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

8

Little Clacton Parish Fields

Location

LITTLE CLACTON PARISH FIELDS Harwich Road, Little Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO16 9ND

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (5)
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; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

4

Harwich and Dovercourt High School

Location

THE HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT HIGH SCHOOL HALL LANE, HARWICH, Essex, CO12 3TG

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

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

9

Clacton Youth Centre

Location

Location details: Clacton Youth Centre

Facilities
  • New Indoor Football Facility (1)
Owner

Other

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.4/4

Overall score

65% (7.8/12)

Project Focus

Disability; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

10

Harwich Youth Centre

Location

Location details: Harwich Youth Centre

Facilities
  • Refurbish Indoor Football Facility (1)
Owner

Other

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.4/4

Overall score

65% (7.7/12)

Project Focus

Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

2

Colne Community College/Brightlingsea Lesiure Centre

Location

BRIGHTLINGSEA SPORTS CENTRE CHURCH ROAD, BRIGHTLINGSEA, COLCHESTER, Essex, CO7 0QL

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

58% (7.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

13

Royden Way

Location

Location details: Royden Way (Frinton)

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

14

Hartley Gardens (Clacton)

Location

Location details: Hartley Gardens

Facilities
  • Refurbish Indoor Football Facility (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

15

Jaywick Lane (Clacton)

Location

Location details: Jaywick Lane, Clacton

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

16

Oakwood Estate (Clacton)

Location

Location details: Oakwood Estate (Clacton)

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

17

Legerton Drive, Clacton

Location

Location details: Legerton Drive

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Project Focus

Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues

18

Cliffe Park (Dovercourt)

Location

Location details: Cliffe Park, Dovercourt

Facilities
  • Other (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Notes

YALP Wall- Small sided provision

Project Focus

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

19

Walton-on-the-Naze-Lifestyles

Location

WALTON-ON-THE-NAZE LIFESTYLES PRINCES ESPLANADE, WALTON ON THE NAZE, Essex, CO14 8PZ

Facilities
  • Other (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Notes

Small sided- Yalp Wall

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

20

Jaywick Community and Resource Centre

Location

Location details: Jaywick Community Resource Centre

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

50% (6.0/12)

Notes

Informal football- Yalp Wall

Project Focus

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

11

Clacton Sea Front

Location

Location details: Clacton Sea Front

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.2/4

Overall score

44% (5.3/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

12

Percy King Estate

Location

Location details: Percy King Estate

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

42% (5.0/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

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

  • Relationship Manager: England Hockey
  • Head of Leisure: Tendring District Council
  • Asset Management: Tendring District Council
  • Head of Public Realm: Tendring District Council
  • Public Health Improvement Coordinator: Tendring District Council
  • Sports Facilities Business Manager: Tendring District Council
  • Senior Youth and Community Commissioner : Essex County Council
  • Sector Sustainability Officer: Community Voluntary Services (CVS) Tendring
  • Head Coach: Clacton FC
  • Head Coach: Frinton and Walton Youth
  • League Secretary: Colchester and District Youth Football League
  • Area Coordinator: Active Essex
  • Head of football: Colchester Institute

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