Local Football Facility Plan Warrington

Warrington is located in the North West region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 209,704. This is expected to rise to 226,701 by 2039.

Warrington’s ethnic composition is primarily white (95.93%). This is considerably higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Warrington’s population represented by the BAME community is 4.07%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

The Authority has a number of wards which are affected by high levels of deprivation, mainly located around the Town Centre. These include the wards of Orford, Poplars and Hulme and Bewsey and Whitecross.

Local Authority

Warrington’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2015-18) ambition is to 'improve the health and wellbeing of Warrington's residents by preventing physical and/or mental illness; and supporting those who are ill, out of work or vulnerable'. The stated vision is to ‘work together for stronger neighbourhoods, healthier people, a vibrant and resilient economy and greater equality across all communities.’

The Local Authority is the largest provider of community football facilities with playing pitches distributed through the Councils 22 wards. Warrington also has a Playing Pitch Strategy, which was produced in 2016/17. It states that the majority of grass pitches in the Authority are of either poor or standard quality. In addition, there is a shortfall of grass football pitches in Warrington to meet current and future football demand across all formats. In relation to 3G facilities, there are currently four full-sized FTPs and a current shortfall of nine.

This shortfall broken down by PPS analysis areas is as follows:

• Central - 1
• East - 3
• South - 4
• West - 1

To address this shortfall, the PPS action plan suggests a number of projects, including:

• Conversions of sand dressed AGPs at Broomfields Leisure Centre and Penketh High School to 3G FTPs
• Re-carpeting of the 3G at Birchwood Academy Trust (Birchwood Community High School).

County football association

Warrington is covered by Cheshire, Lancashire and Liverpool County FAs. All three provide governance and development support to all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. They have designated facilities investment lead officers who work 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 three County FAs 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 Warrington Wolves Foundation (Rugby League) runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area. Although its predominant focus is Rugby League, it also delivers a number of football sessions, including open pay and play activities and sessions for people with disabilities.

Local leisure operator

LiveWire is the key leisure operator in Warrington. It currently manages six key sites including Broomfields Leisure Centre, and two 'neighbourhood hub' facilities which contain full-sized 3G FTPs (Orford Jubilee and Great Sankey). There is, in addition to the full-sized 3G FTP, small sided provision at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub . The Football Foundation has recently approved a sand dressed pitch conversion at Broomfields Leisure Centre in the south analysis area. This is scheduled to be opened by mid-2019. The addition of this venue will mean that three of the Authority's total of five full-sized 3G FTPs will be managed by LiveWire.

Local consultation

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

• Warrington Borough Council
• LiveWire Warrington
• Warrington Wolves Foundation
• Warrington Junior League
• Warrington Disability Partnership
• A number of local football clubs

(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. Warrington has a total of 455 teams, which is higher than local areas of a similar size.

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

Over the last 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Warrington, 17 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

• Appleton AFC - 52 teams
• Crosfields Juniors - 37 teams
• Lymm Rovers Junior - 33 teams
• Grappenhall Sports (Juniors) - 32 teams
• Woolston Rovers - 31 teams
• Lymm Piranhas JFC - 28 teams
• Cromwell Athletic - 25 teams
• Warrington Town FC - 25 teams
• Eagle Juniors - 21 teams
• Culcheth FC- 20 teams
• Rylands - 19 teams

Three leagues operate in Warrington. They offer competitive opportunities for Mini Soccer, youth and adult male players. Warrington largest local league (2017-18) is Warrington Junior League which has 800+ teams; its matches are played on a home and away basis.

The County FA reports some cross boundary migration to Warrington primarily due to teams based in other local authorities migrating inwards to play in the Warrington & District League and Warrington Junior League.

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 Warrington there are 15 football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to grow this provision. For talented players the FA runs regional centres and England national squads. The majority of Warrington based disability teams migrate to play in Liverpool central venue leagues.

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. At present there are no FA Wildcats girls football centres in Warrington; the priority is to grow this activity.

At 31, Warrington’s number of female teams is higher than local areas of a similar size. It is a priority for both the county FAs involved to support the existing clubs to grow and encourage more to develop playing opportunity for females. The local girls league is the Cheshire Girls League, LCFA Girls and Hightown Girls League in which matches are played on a central venue basis (in Cheshire, Liverpool and Sefton). It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Cheshire Womens League in which matches are played on a home and away across Cheshire; it too is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA regional talent club (RTCs) are Everton Ladies (based in Childwall) and Liverpool Women (based in Walton). 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 teams are Everton and Liverpool Ladies which both provide player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small-sided football

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

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

Key local sites include

• Hillock Lane Playing Field
• Woolston Park
• Victoria Park
• Birchwood Forest Park
• Crab Lane Playing Field
• New Lane Playing Field
• Loushers Lane Playing Field
• Orford Park Neighbourhood Hub

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 that Futsal is available across the country.

There is currently one futsal team in Warrington. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for male, female, youth and adult players .

Recreational football

Recreational football is played where facilities are typically booked and there might be someone to help organise. Examples include FA Just Play sessions, walking football and casual pitch hire for small-sided match play.

There is currently one FA Just Play Centre in Warrington, which is at Orford Park Neighbourhood Hub. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Warrington Wolves Foundation. Walking football and Just Play are activities 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 Warrington is played all over the Borough.

The key strengths of local football in Warrington include Adult Male, Youth Male and Mini Soccer provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist , these include Adult Female, Youth Female and Disability provision

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

1.Adult Female

2.Youth Female

3.Disability Football

4.Adult Male

5. Youth Male

6. Mini Soccer

7. Futsal

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 Warrington. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment.

Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed in line with four investment priorities:

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 investment priorities are 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.

A data states that there are currently four full-sized 3G FTPs in Warrington which represents a shortfall of nine full sized FTPs according to the PPS. This compares to a figure of eight according to the FA training demand model . For the purposes of the LFFP, the PPS calculation has been applied as it is based on an area by area analysis.
The existing full sized 3G FTPs in Warrington are located at:

• Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub
• University Academy Warrington
• Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub
• Birchwood Community High School

There are also three small-sided 3G FTP sites in Warrington:

• Whitecross Community Centre (60 x 40)
• Kings Leadership Academy (60 x 40)
• Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub (10 x 5v5)

All four full size 3G FTPs are available for community use and three are currently on the FA register (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). In addition, Kings Leadership Academy is also on the FA register. It is strongly recommend that the 3G FTP at Birchwood Community High School is assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G.In addition to these, a Football Foundation grant application has been approved to develop a new full-sized 3G FTP at Broomfields Leisure Centre. It is hoped that this will be available in spring-2019. When this is in place there will be five full-sized 3G FTPs in the Authority thus reducing the shortfall to eight.
As demonstrated in the analysis area note above, the geographic spread of existing facilities is uneven and there are provisional gaps in the South East (around Lymm), in the central area (between Warrington Town Centre and Manchester Ship Canal) and in the North East of the Authority (around Culcheth). It is recommended that these are addressed.
Local consultation highlights common issues with limited 3G FTP availability to accommodate training and match play. It is recommended that these are addressed. Clubs confirm that slots on current 3G pitches are scarce and that their training demand is often not accommodated. Others report being forced to train outside the Authority to accommodate training demand resulting in increased journey times.

Ten priority projects for potential investment have been identified based upon a rationale which addresses identified area shortfalls , serving areas with significant populations and ensuring a good geographic spread . Eight of these are designed to directly address the PPS determined shortfall of full sized 3G FTPs. Two additional projects have been listed, one a small sided 3G pitch proposal and the other a refurbishment of an existing facility. These are set out below by their respective PPS analysis areas. In the West and Central areas, more than one site location is listed allowing for more detailed appraisal of what the preferred site(s) might be at the point when the projects are scheduled to progress. The options listed align with the PPS action plan, apart from Birchwood Community School (Birchwood Academy Trust) which has already been completed through Football Foundation funding.

• South analysis area (3 pitches required and three projects listed).
• Central analysis area (1 pitch required with three potential sites listed)
• East analysis area (3 pitches required- one double hub project listed and one area generic single FTP identified .
• West analysis area (1 pitch required with three potential sites listed)

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 21 grass pitch sites in Warrington with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 75 grass pitches.

Of these, four are considered to have good quality pitches, nine are rated as standard quality and eight have poor quality pitches. Assessments in respect of pitch quality were ratified by the LFFP Steering Group. All the eight sites with predominantly poor quality pitches and two of those with standard quality pitches have been identified for investment; a total of 10 sites.

Local consultation highlights common issues with poor quality and, in particular drainage; it is recommended that these are addressed

Ten priority projects for potential investment have, thus, been identified:

These can provide a number of different benefits. While the primary function is normally the provision of changing rooms to accommodate match-play and training (for players and officials), there can be equal value in facilities such as community and education rooms, catering facilities and spectator toilets.

Each project will take a progressive approach to pavilions and clubhouses (beyond the provision of changing rooms) and be open to new opportunities to engage the whole community. That means, creating environments that are welcoming to players, spectators, volunteers, officials and all sections of the community.

Such assets should support other investment priorities (e.g. 3G FTPs and grass pitches) and be located at sites that will have the greatest impact on local communities. To ensure this, focus is given to sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents. However, as pitch quality is the number one priority for players this is prioritised before investment in changing room pavilions /clubhouses.

Clearly, facilities need to be well managed and maintained to keep them in a good state of repair. Consideration will be given to reviewing the best operator solution for key sites and the installation of revenue generating features such as catering facilities and community rooms. To achieve this, business plan support will be given to each priority project as it progresses to an application to the Football Foundation.

Of the 21 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Warrington, 13 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, seven have facilities that need improvement/ replacement and one has no facilities and requires a new changing pavilion.

Eight priority projects for potential investment are identified:

Good facilities are important to all small-sided football players, but it is important to understand the different formats of the small-sided game and the various facility types they relate to.

Research suggests that small-sided players in teams and leagues, and in recreational sessions, prefer a 3G surface type because it replicates a good standard natural turf pitch. These facilities have already been covered in the 3G FTP section of this LFFP.

Indoor environments currently accommodate 20% of football participation and are also popular with players in teams and leagues and recreational sessions . Indoor sports halls are most popular, along with some community halls and indoor 3G centres. Environments need to be engaging, have clear line-marking and the correct size goalposts.

Informal players require facilities that are open and free to access as this enables play opportunities that are often spontaneous. In these circumstances multi-use games areas (MUGAs) can be effective in areas of high urban population and limited green space. Such facilities can be modern, bright, creative and engaging. While this plan will identify suitable locations for such facilities, the design and specifics of the facility type can be agreed at a later stage with Football Foundation staff when projects are ready to progress to pre-application stage.

Parks and open green spaces are also important to informal play and require goalposts and zones that are free from litter and dog fouling.

The Authority would like to develop a dedicated futsal centre within its central analysis area.

The rationale for a dedicated indoor facility is based upon a range of factors. The Warrington Junior Football league, one of the biggest leagues in the North West, has expressed a desire to develop a winter futsal league, particularly focusing on women's and girl's football. The Local Authority also identifies a need for a centre to support school sports, community sports delivery alongside a desire to enhance disability sports provision in the area. In addition, both the County FAs football development priorities include increasing participation in futsal.

Two projects have been highlighted (from which one should be prioritised). The options are the Orford Neighbourhood Hub and Victoria Park. Orford Neighbourhood Hub would involve upgrading an existing sports hall, including relining the hall floor. A development at Victoria Park would be a new build.

Further feasibility work is required to inform a decision in respect of which is to be the preferred site for a dedicated indoor futsal centre.

Six potential opportunities for MUGAs have been identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site serving an area of high population density, with limited green space, high levels of deprivation, a significant proportion of people from lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:

In addition, Sport England recreational football mapping identifies ‘hotspot’ areas in terms of recreational football demand, north west of the Town Centre and in the north east of the Authority . These correspond with the location of one proposed project (Bewsey Park) which is a possible refurbished facility for small sided football.

Following local consultation, no locations were identified to support small-sided informal football at this plan stage.

Head of Partnerships and Commissioning (leisure, libraries, culture, third sector): Warrington Council

Environment services and outdoor recreation managers: Warrington Council

Facility Manager: LiveWire

Planning Policy Manager: Warrington Council

Community Manager: Warrington Wolves Foundation

Centre Manager: Warrington Youth Service

League Secretary: Warrington Junior League

Organisation representative: Warrington Disability Partnership

Network manager: Active Cheshire

Club Chairman: Grappenhall Sports Juniors FC

Club Chairman: Lymm AFC

Club Chairman: Appleton AFC

Club Chairman: Eagle JFC

Club Chairman: Woolston Rovers FC

Club Chairman: Cromwell Athletic JFC

Club Chairman: Bruche Athletic FC

Club Chairman: Eagle Sports FC

Club Chairman: Warrington Town FC

Club Chairman: Birchwood Juniors