Local Football Facility Plan Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is located in the Greater London region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 304,854. This is expected to rise to 398,800 by 2039.

Tower Hamlet's BAME community acoounts for 54.8% of the Borough population; this is significantly higher than the national average (14.6%).

The proportion of Tower Hamlets’s population classified as white is, thus, 45.2%; significantly below the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of young people living in Tower Hamlets is 35%; this is much higher than the 18% average for the rest of inner London.

Local authority

The Authority Playing Pitch Assessment Report was developed in 2017. The key findings and stated overarching priorities were that current supply of football pitches is insufficient to accommodate existing demand for adult and both formats of youth football. The majority of pitches (68%) are rated poor quality, with 32% rated as standard and none as good. No clubs in Tower Hamlets lease or own home venues, they either rent annually or hire on a match-by-match basis. Rental agreements are made either directly with the Council or via league membership - where the leagues book pitches for their teams

County football association

Tower Hamlets is covered by London 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.

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 Leyton Orient Trust and West Ham United Foundation both run a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities in the local area.

Local leisure operator

GLL is the key leisure operator in Tower Hamlets. It currently operates seven key sites including the small sided 3G FTPs, sand based AGP and grass stadia pitch at Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium. GLL also manages full size sand based AGP at the John Orwell Centre , this facility is utilised for recreational football.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Tower Hamlets. 19 individuals (representing 17 local organisations) were spoken to. Agencies consulted include:

• Tower Hamlets Council
• Osmani Trust
• Atlee Centre
• Limehouse Laces FC
• Shadwell Youth Organisation
  
  (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. Tower Hamlets has a total of 52 teams, this figure is lower than local areas of a similar size. It should be noted that there are a large number of unaffiliated teams in the borough, these teams tend to play in recreational leagues.

The FA is investing to support clubs both on and off the pitch. It also aims 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 Tower Hamlets, only one club has 10 registered teams. The largest clubs (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

• Wapping Youth - ten teams
• Victoria Park (Youth) - seven teams
• Millwall Albion (Youth) - seven teams

Seven leagues operate in Tower Hamlets. They offer competitive opportunity for many different players, including women and girls, disability, youth and adults. While there are no specific league opportunities for disability football within Tower Hamlets, there is suitable provision in neighbouring Hackney.

Tower Hamlets largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

• Echo Junior League - 72 teams - home and away
• Capital Girls League - 91 teams - home and away/central venue at multiple sites
• East London & Essex Junior League - 80 teams - home and away

The County FA reports cross boundary migration to/from Tower Hamlets; outward migration is based upon teams playing in the above leagues in Essex and Middlesex.

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 Tower Hamlets sessions specifically for people with a disability are run by the West Ham United Foundation. 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. Tower Hamlets has three FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At eight, Tower Hamlets number of female teams is lower than local areas of a similar size. The County FA’s priority is to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls league is the Capital Girls League; its matches are played on both a home and away and a central venue basis. It expects to grow provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Greater Women's League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It too expects to grow provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Charlton Athletic FC located in Crayford. 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 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 & 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:

• Lucozade Power League - Docklands
• Lucozade Power League - London City
• Playfootball - Mile End Leisure Centre

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 Futsal is available across the country.

There is currently one futsal team in Tower Hamlets- Brazil Girls Football Club. It does not play in a formal league, however, it trains regularly and plays friendly matches. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for male, female and youth 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 three FA Just Play centres in Tower Hamlets. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Play Football & Leyton Orient Trust. Walking football and Just Play are formats that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development.

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 Tower Hamlets is played across the Borough. Victoria Park, Stepney Green Park, Wapping Gardens and Bethnel Green Gardens are heavily used key site locations.

The key strengths of local football in Tower Hamlets include strong informal and recreational provision. It is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further to help enable growth of affiliated teams. However, gaps in provision do exist and participation is lower than that in local authorities of a similar size - in disability and female recreational and affiliated football.

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

1. Small sided facilities that accommodate a 'flexi' offer
2. Wildcats centres
3. Just Play centres

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 Tower Hamlets. 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 is currently one full-sized (11v11) FTP in Tower Hamlets and 34 small sided FTPs. This is a shortfall of seven full size equivalent pitches relative to assessed demand. The shortfall was calculated using FA 3G demand modelling, which in Tower Hamlets identifies that the demand for recreational football is higher than affiliated demand. Existing 3G FTPs in Tower Hamlets include:

• Stepney Green Park (11v11)
• George Green’s School & Sports Centre (7v7)
• Haileybury Centre (5v5)
• Swanlea School (5v5)
• The Workhouse Leisure Centre (x2 5v5)
• The Marner School (x1 5v5)* upgraded to 3G in 2017.
• Whitechapel Sports Centre (x1 7v7)
• Poplar Baths Leisure Centre & Gym (x1 5v5)

There are three small-sided 3G FTP centres in Tower Hamlets:

• Lucozade Power League – Docklands (x5 5v5)
• Lucozade Power League – London City (x13 5v5)
• Mile End Park Leisure Centre & Stadium (x3 7v7 & x4 5v5)

15 of the 3G pitches are available for community use. Those at Lucozade Power League (Docklands & London City) are primarily used for commercial pay & play and are included in the local supply and demand stock as they service recreational demand. The two pitches at Workhouse Leisure Centre 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, as appropriate, remaining pitches are assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is uneven; there are provision gaps in the north of the Borough despite high levels of population, significant planned regeneration & housing growth and high levels of deprivation; it is recommended that these are addressed. Within Tower Hamlets, space for new facilities is limited therefore an approach predominantly based upon developing small sided (rather than full sized) 3G pitches has been adopted to help alleviate the borough-wide shortfall.

Local consultation reveals common issues with low availability and lack of match play on 3G and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Seven priority projects for potential investment have been identified. These comprise one full-sized 3G FTP, one 9v9, one 7v7 and four 5v5 3G FTPs. Undersupply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model. Whilst the six proposals do not meet the identified shortfall based on recreational demand, it is recommended that future iterations of the plan address this when additional land / development opportunities become available. Site were selected based upon a rationale that encompasses good access, high population, geographic spread, the quality of existing facilities, high levels of deprivation and areas which contain a high proportion of people from lower social economic groups:

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.

There are currently five key grass pitch sites in Tower Hamlets with three or more full-size equivalents (or with less than three pitches but of strategic importance), These contain 18 pitches. Of the five sites, two are considered to have standard quality pitches and the pitches at three are of poor quality. Local consultation shows common issues with pitch quality and low availability..

All five grass pitch sites need improvement.

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 five grass pitch sites in Tower Hamlets, one has a suitable changing room pavilion/clubhouse, and four have facilities that need improvement/replacement.

Four priority projects for potential investment are, therefore, 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 no indoor facilities that require improvement to develop small-sided football.

11 potential opportunities for MUGAs are identified. Tower Hamlets Council has proposed a number of MUGA sites for improvement. In each case the rationale is based on them being in an area of high urban population, with limited green space, high levels of deprivation, a high proportion of people from lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football. The design and specifics of the facility type/design will be determined during the application phase.

Following consultation, no locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football.

• Chairman – Shadwell Youth Organisation
• Chairman - Osmani Trust
• Community Engagement Manager – East End Homes
• Community Sports Manager – West Ham United Foundation
• Co-ordinator – Tower Hamlets Tigers FC
• Director - Bancroft TMC
• Director – Wapping Youth FC
• Football Development Officer - London Football Association
• Head of Delivery - London Football Association
• Head of Sport & Physical Activity - Tower Hamlets Council
• Health & Wellbeing Lead – Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing
• Manager – Leyton Orient Women’s FC
• Neighbourhood Investment Manager – Clarion Housing Group
• Operations Director – Atlee Centre
• Relationship Manager – London Sport
• Secretary – BFA Sporting Foundation
• Secretary – Limehouse Laces FC
• Secretary – Westward Boys FC
• Sports Project Manager – Tower Hamlets Council

Survey responses were received from the following affiliated clubs:

• Wapping Youth FC