Local Football Facility Plan Watford

Watford is in the South East Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2019 Mid-Year Estimate) is 96,767. This is expected to rise to 112,347 by 2039.

Watford is ranked 22nd out of 45 LAs in the region, and 196th out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Its ethnic composition is primarily white 72%. This is considerably lower than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Watford’s population represented by the BAME community is 28%. This is substantially above the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

The Watford Borough Council Sports and Physical Activity Development Framework (2019-2023) sets out a vision to develop "affordable, accessible and appropriate sport and physical activity opportunities for everyone". Its stated aim is that: "through an enabling role with partners and key stakeholder organisations the framework will drive sport and physical activity forward, delivering actions across each of our objectives". Its objectives are to:

• Improve the quality of life of Watford residents through a vibrant, collaborative and targeted approach to the delivery of sport and physical activity programmes and opportunities.
• Enhance the health and well-being of Watford residents by reducing inactivity levels.
• Strengthen the local sporting infrastructure through support of community sports clubs and volunteers.
• Match sports development programmes to major sports facilities investment, linking with the Sports Facility Strategy.

The Watford Playing Pitch Strategy has been developed in conjunction with the production of its Local Football Facility Plan. This has ensured that all identified projects in this plan are based upon a robust, contemporary evidence base.

County football association

Watford is covered by the Hertfordshire County FA. It provides governance for, and development support to, all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. The County FA has a designated facilities investment lead officer who works to ensure the right facilities are located in the right locations.

Football Foundation

The Regional Engagement Manager and Regional Technical Project Manager at the Football Foundation work collaboratively with the County FA to provide pre-application support to priority projects for potential investment.

Sport England

Has a network of planning managers who have a statutory role in the planning system to protect playing fields and provide consultation responses to planning applications relating to sporting facilities . They also play a key role in strategic planning for sports facilities, providing advice and support to local authorities to assess need for facilities in their local area.

Professional community club organisations (CCOs)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Watford FC Community Sport and Education Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities in the local area.

Local leisure operator

Everyone Active is the main leisure operator in Watford. It currently runs Watford Leisure Centre - Central and Watford Leisure Centre - Woodside. Neither is considered to be a strategic hub for affiliated football but the centre at Woodside is a key venue for disability football in the region.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Watford. 23 individuals (representing 19 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Watford Borough Council
• Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust
• Hertfordshire County FA

(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. Watford has a total of 91 teams, which is comparable to local areas of a similar size.

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

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

• Everett Rovers Youth - 29 teams
• Sun Sports Youth FC - 10 teams
• Watford Ladies Youth -15 teams
• Watford Youth Sports - 15 teams
• West Herts Youth - 10 teams

Leagues

Nineteen leagues cater for clubs and teams in Hertfordshire. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including girls, disability, youth and adults. Suitable arrangements for the provision of women’s football are made via a combined county Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Women’s League that hosts 20 Hertfordshire teams. The leagues operating across the county include:

• East Herts Corinthian League – 57 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday morning.
• Escolla Junior League – 4 teams–Futsal League
• Garston Vets Over 35s League – 12 teams. Vets League
• Hertford & District ORC Sports Football League– 32 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday morning
• Hertfordshire Development League – 166 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday morning for U7-U11 age groups, with festivals throughout the season for certain age groups.
• Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League – 257 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday morning for youth teams, with festivals for certain age groups throughout the season
• Herts Advertiser Sunday Football League – 45 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday morning.
• Herts Senior County League – 59 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday afternoon.
• Hitchin Sunday League – 33 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday morning
• Mid Herts Rural Minors League – 756 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday or Sunday for Youth teams
• Mid Herts Vets Football League – 15 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday
• Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League – 36 teams– U18s home and away fixtures during midweek
• Terry Reed North West Essex Sunday League – 18 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday
• The Hertfordshire and Borders Churches Football League – 13 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday
• The TrophyUK.net Royston Crow Youth Football League – 409 teams– home and away youth fixtures on a Saturday or Sunday
• Watford Friendly League – 616 teams– home and away Youth fixtures on a Sunday
• Watford Sunday Football League – 43 teams– home and away fixtures on a Sunday
• West Herts Saturday League – 19 teams– home and away fixtures on a Saturday
• West Herts Youth League – 554 teams– home and away Youth fixtures on a Sunday.

The County FA reports significant cross boundary migration to/from Watford based upon teams travelling both to compete with clubs/teams based in other authorities (and vice versa) and to access suitable training facilities.

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 Watford there are seven football teams specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to grow this provision. For talented players the FA runs regional centres and England national squads.

Women and girls

The FA has big ambitions for the female game and aims to double levels of participation by 2020. To achieve this requires a combined effort across four pathways: education, recreation, competition and talent.

Education environments have a huge impact on the first experience of football for young girls. This pathway can offer many opportunities for females of all ages to develop and grow a lifelong interest in football.

FA Wildcats girls football centres provide the first step on the recreational pathway, the programme provides girls aged 5-11 with regular opportunities to play football in a fun and engaging environment. Watford has four FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At two, Watford’s number of female teams is considerably lower than local areas of a similar size. It is noted that there is a large women's football club on the border of Watford (Three Rivers) to which players naturally gravitate thus reducing identified demand in Watford itself. 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 Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire County Women's League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to sustain provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Arsenal Ladies. Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. The most local Women’s Super League team is Arsenal Ladies which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

In addition to Arsenal Ladies, Stevenage FC competes in the FA Womens National League Division 1 and Watford FC in the FA Womens Premier League Division South.

Small sided football

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

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

• Railway Friendly Flexi League
• Herts 6s at Westfield Academy & Wodson Park
• Futsal 5s (Herts at Longdean School and The Hemel Hempstead School
• Youth Futsal Series at Longdean School and The Hemel Hempstead School
• Ultimate Football at Monks Walk School
• Roundwood Park Vets League at Roundwood Park School.

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it is played on an indoor surface with hockey-sized goals and a size 4 football with reduced ball bounce. It is the FA’s aim to ensure that futsal is available across the country.

Currently 43 futsal teams in Hertfordshire play in ad-hoc tournaments and one-off events delivered by Hertfordshire FA, Regional Youth Futsal Series plus leagues at key site locations including University of Hertfordshire, Ridgeway Academy, Aldenham Sports Centre, Ashlyns School, Longdean School, The Hemel Hempstead School, Clement Danes School, Hitchin Girls School and The Royal Masonic School. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for all players.

Recreational football

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

There are currently no FA Just Play centres in Watford. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations such as Watford CSE Trust and Watford Borough Council. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include pro club community programmes and casual bookings delivered by a range of organisations including; Watford CSE Trust, Watford Borough Council and local community clubs.

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).

Informal football is played throughout Watford. The Council operates several key sites which are popular with local residents; these include; Cassiobury Park, Callowland Recreation Ground, King George V Playing Field and Woodside Playing Field.

The key strengths of local football in Watford include the strength of club development. This has enabled the growth of key clubs in the area and led to the area now having three large clubs with 15+ teams. Facility investment has supported club growth in Watford over the last 10 years and it is recommended that this is sustained and further encouraged. However, provision gaps do exist and these include the transition of the players from the substantial number of male and female youth teams (and players) into adult football.

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Watford are to increase the:

1. Number of senior adult male football teams.
2. Number of adult female football teams.
3. Transition of players from youth teams and youth teams per se into adult football.
4. Range of recreational programmes in operation across the area.
5. Provision of activities for those with a disability, be this via an increase in the number of teams or recreational football opportunity.

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

Each priority project that progresses to a funding application via the Football Foundation will produce a detailed ‘site development plan’ specifying all football development activity, usage and key partner engagement.

This section reviews existing football facility assets in Watford. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment. Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed in line with four investment priorities:

• 3G FTPs
• Improved grass pitches
• Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
• Small sided facilities

To ensure a consistent and high quality approach, each local area is reviewed applying a standard approach, supplemented by input from consultation with local partners and stakeholder organisations.

While each investment priority is reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

3G FTPs are a high quality and indispensable part of modern football facilities; their impact cannot be underestimated. In recent years the industry has seen major innovations and improvements to artificial surfaces (and sports lighting). This has created playing surfaces that replicate a good standard natural turf pitch whilst significantly increasing levels of use (x20). All FTPs must have sports lighting to achieve this.

The high quality, consistent playing surface is the ideal environment to play the game and for young people to learn. With regular maintenance programmes, FTPs can be heavily used all year round with no decline in quality. They almost completely negate annoying fixture cancellations during winter months, helping football to be a key part of a regular physical activity habit.

High capacity levels offer a great opportunity to embrace all formats and engage all participants. A full-sized 3G caters for an average of 1,200 participants per week and is suitable for various location types. That means being fully inclusive to all sections of the community, with a particular focus on under-represented groups such as women and girls, people with a disability, BAME communities and people from lower socio-economic groups.

The way 3G FTPs are used is rapidly changing; current line-marking systems allow for match play across all formats of football (5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11). This enables significant levels of match-play to be transferred from grass to 3G.

The two main 3G FTPs in Watford are located at:

• Westfield Academy (11v11)
• Meriden Community Centre (9v9)

As noted, the Watford PPS has been developed in conjunction with this plan. The PPS indicates a current shortfall of one full sized 3G FTP and a future shortfall of 1.5.

Both the existing 3G FTPs are available for community use and on the FA Register (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). Their location generally reflects assessed demand but there are also provision shortfalls. Local consultation confirms the issues associated with limited 3G FTP availability for midweek training and match play and it is the purpose of this plan to rectify these.

Two priority projects for potential investment are identified. Both were selected based upon a rationale of good access, servicing a substantial local catchment population and geographic spread. One is to create a football hub site at Westfield Academy by developing a secondary 3G FTP on the site. The other is aligned to Watford Borough Councils Masterplan for Watford Leisure Centre/Woodside Playing Field which identifies conversion of an existing sand-based AGP.

Playing fields are one of the most important resources for sport in England. All football players should have the opportunity to play on good quality grass pitches. However, FA data shows that 63% of pitches in England are poor / low quality and one in six games is cancelled. As such, poor pitch quality is consistently cited as the number one issue for players.

The priority is, therefore, to sustainably improve grass pitch quality across all main pitch owners (local authorities, education establishments and clubs). However, the level of maintenance required to obtain good quality standards is regularly affected by restricted budgets and limited knowledge/ training. Compaction and grass coverage are two key causes of poor quality pitches. Both are commonly treated via a maintenance driven solution (and do not necessarily require costly drainage schemes).

Playing fields are also a valuable resources for informal play and open-access sites are encouraged but, for many, problems such as dog fouling and vandalism mean that they need to be protected with mitigation measures such as fencing.

The key challenge is to create a sustainable approach to provide good quality football pitches for the long term. Most local authorities (78%) intend to increase pitch hire fees in the future. However, the majority of players (63%) believe facilities are already expensive and some (16%) believe prices are prohibitive. A sustainable solution should, therefore, carefully balance pitch quality and affordability.

While the education sector (37%) and local authorities (32%) are still the principal asset owners of grass pitches, clubs / leagues own or maintain an increasing share (currently 25%). Assets and opportunities have been considered across each sector.

Although large (3+ pitch) strategic sites are important and make up much of the project list within the LFFPs, this does not mean that other club, league and community/voluntary sites are not important or eligible for funding. These sites are key to the Football Foundation's Grass Pitch Programme to deliver 20,000 good quality pitches.

For more information click here.

PitchPower

The PitchPower app is the gateway to any grass pitch improvement funding. It is the tool that will allow clubs and organisations to complete pitch inspections and access funds.

If you haven't signed up and completed a PitchPower pitch inspection, you will need to do this before you can apply for the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.

Learn more by clicking here.

There are currently nine grass pitch sites in Watford with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 31 grass pitches. Based on the findings of the PPS, four of the pitches at these sites are considered to be of good quality, 18 are of standard quality and nine are poor quality.

Local consultation confirms the poor quality of pitches at certain sites. The recommendations set out below are designed to start to address this issue.

Of the nine key pitch sites referenced, four are prioritised. This will result in quality improvements to 18 poor or standard pitches:

Four priority projects for investment are identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by local partners and the PPS. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting sites with pitches that are in poor/standard condition and that are, or offer the potential to be, well-utilised.

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 nine key grass pitch sites in Watford with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) five have suitable changing pavilions, two require replacement/refurbishment and two require new changing rooms to cater for affiliated football.

Four priority projects are identified. Of these, the project at Westfield Academy would support the potential two 3G FTPs on site as well as providing an enhanced environment for social and recreational sport programming from the school and Watford Community Sports and Education Trust.

The project at Woodside Playing Field is identified in the masterplan for the site developed by Watford Borough Council. This development would be multi sport and also accommodate usage from the cricket teams which play at the site.

The remaining two pavilions require modernisation to ensure that they remain fit for purpose for current and future site users.

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 there is the potential to improve one indoor facility in Watford to develop small sided football; this is located at Watford Leisure Centre - Woodside. The centre is a key site for disability football in both Watford and the wider Hertfordshire region.

Three opportunities to develop new (or improve existing) MUGAs are identified in Watford. The three potential locations are:

• Cassiobury Park
• King George V Playing Field
• Radlett Road

No opportunities to enhance existing parks and open spaces were identified at this point in LFFP development.

A range of local agencies and larger (usually 10 plus team) local football clubs were invited to participate in the LFFP consultation. Those that contributed are listed below:

• Head of Facilities & Inclusion - Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust
• Head of Football Development & Investment - Hertfordshire County Football Association
• Planning Manager - Sport England
• Youth Manager - Hertfordshire Youth Services
• Engagement Officer - Football Foundation
• Planning Officer - Watford Borough Council
• Principle Planning Officer - Watford Borough Council
• Head of Parks, Open Spaces and Projects - Watford Borough Council
• Sports Development Officer - Watford Borough Council
• Secretary - Sun Postal Sports
• Secretary - Sun Postal Sport Youth
• Director of Operations - Watford FC
• Secretary - Watford FC Development
• Secretary - Watford Youth Sport
• Secretary - West Herts FC
• Secretary - Everett Rovers
• Secretary - Everett Rovers Youth
• Secretary - Fox and Stone FC
• Secretary - Fullerians FC
• Secretary - Gadeside Rangers FC
• Secretary - Herons Youth
• Secretary - Hertfordshire Eagles First
• Secretary - London Girls Development