Local Football Facility Plan West Suffolk

West Suffolk is in the East region.

The current population of the authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 178,881. This is expected to rise to 194,818 by 2039.

West Suffolk is ranked 19 out of 45 LAs in the region, and 177 out of 317 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

West Suffolk's ethnic composition is primarily white (94.59%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of West Suffolk’s population represented by the BAME community is 5.41%. This is below the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

West Suffolk Council is a newly formed local authority consisting of the former local authorities of St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath. It has no PPS in place.

County football association

West Suffolk is covered by the Suffolk 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 Ipswich Town Community Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area, although it has only recently been established and is looking to expand.

Local leisure operator

Abbeycroft Leisure is a key leisure operator in West Suffolk. It currently runs numerous key sites including Skyliner Sports Centre, which contains a full size 3G FTP.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in West Suffolk. 26 individuals (representing 24 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Bury St Edmunds Town Council
• Bury & District Sunday League
• Suffolk County Council

(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. West Suffolk has a total of 325 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 West Suffolk, six clubs have more than 10 registered teams. These (based upon 2019-20 affiliation data) are:

• Haverhill Rovers FC - 51 teams
• Sporting 87 FC - 40 teams
• Bury Town FC - 35 teams
• Brandon Town Community FC - 15 teams
• Elmswell Youth FC - 13 teams
• Moreton Hall Youth FC - 10 teams

Leagues

Four leagues operate in West Suffolk. They offer competitive opportunity for many different players, including girls, youth and adults. While there are no specific league opportunities for disability football within West Suffolk, there is suitable provision provided in the County-wide catchment of the iCAN Football League, based in Ipswich. Also, while there are no specific league opportunities for women and veteran players within West Suffolk, there is suitable provision offered via the County-wide catchment of the Suffolk Girls’ and Women’s Football League and the Norfolk & Suffolk Veterans’ League.

West Suffolk's local leagues (2019-20) are:

• Suffolk WAYS League – 46 teams – home and away
• Bury & District Sunday League – 39 teams– home and away
• Bury St Edmunds & District Primary School Football League – 30 teams – home and away
• Sudbury, Haverhill & District Sunday League – seven teams – home and away

The County FA reports that there is significant cross boundary migration in West Suffolk due to teams migrating outwards to the Ipswich & Suffolk Youth League, the Suffolk Youth Football League, the Suffolk & Ipswich League, the Cambridge & District Colts League, the Norfolk Combined Youth Football League and the Norfolk Women's & Girls Football League.

Disability football

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

In West Suffolk there is one football team 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. West Suffolk has four FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 19, West Suffolk’s number of female teams is higher 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’ provision is the Suffolk WAYS League which offers girls' football at a central-venue and the Suffolk Girls’ and Women’s Football League, which plays matches on a home and away basis. Both leagues are expected to grow provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Suffolk Girls’ and Women’s Football League and matches are played home and away basis. The League is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Essex County FA Girls Regional Talent Club, based 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 Ladies FC, which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small sided football

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

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

Key local providers include:

• Suffolk FA Friday Night Football League – Skyliner Sports Centre
• Power Play - The New Croft
• Soccer Sixes – Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club / Skyliner Sports Centre / Breckland Leisure Centre / Waterworld

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.

There are currently no futsal teams in West Suffolk. 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 West Suffolk. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Abbeycroft Leisure, Brandon Town Football Club and Haverhill Community Sports Association. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for growth.

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 West Suffolk is played particularly in the Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill areas of the local authority. The New Croft and local parks are key well-used site locations, along with other Abbeycroft Leisure managed facilities.

The key strengths of local football in West Suffolk include youth, adult male and female provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, some gaps in provision do exist, such as for recreational activity and futsal.

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for [add area] are:

1. Retain adult male participation
2. Retain and increase the local Wildcats offer
3. Improve and increase ladies affiliated offer
4. Continue and increase the delivery of recreational opportunities
5. Continue and enhance the delivery of futsal opportunities

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 West Suffolk. 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 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.

There are three existing full size 3G FTPs in West Suffolk. These are located at:

• King Edward VI School
• Skyliner Sports Centre
• The New Croft

Additionally, there are currently six small-sided 3G FTPs, located at:

• County Upper School (35 x 17 metres)
• HMP Highpoint South (40 x 30 metres)
• Samuel Ward Academy (35 x 20 metres)
• Sextons Manor Primary School (35 x 18 metres)
• St Benedict's Catholic School (36 x 17 metres)
• The Haberden (60 x 40 metres)

All three of the full size pitches are available for community use and all three are on the FA Register and can therefore be used for competitive matches. Re-testing is required every three years to ensure this remains the case.

As there is no current PPS in place, demand for full size 3G FTPs has been calculated using the FA training ratio model (1:38). Based on 325 teams currently playing in West Suffolk, there is a requirement for eight full size 3G FTPs. This means a shortfall of five pitches. None of the small-sided pitches are considered large enough to contribute towards reducing this due to their limited size, with some also without floodlighting. Only the pitch at the Haberden receives significant usage and this is predominately for rugby purposes.

A new full size 3G FTP is being developed at Mildenhall Leisure Centre, without funding via the Football Foundation. This will be operated by Abbeycroft Leisure and will reduce the shortfall of pitches to four.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is uneven; the majority of pitches are located in the central parts of the local area as well as to the south. There is need for further provision in these areas and there are also provision gaps elsewhere, despite high levels of population and demand. It is recommended that these gaps are addressed.

Local consultation reveals common issues with high pricing, low availability, long travel distances and a lack of match play on 3G and it is recommended that these problems are addressed. Large clubs such as Bury Town, Sporting 87, Lakenheath and Haverhill Rovers football clubs currently struggle to fulfil all of their training needs on the existing provision.

Six priority projects for potential investment are identified, consisting of four full size 3G FTPs to address the identified shortfall and a further two small-sided 3G FTPs to cater for pockets of additional demand. Each was selected based upon a rationale of good access, high population, geographic spread and existing facility quality.

Of the four full size projects, two are site specific (Victory Sports Ground and the New Croft), one is an either/or option with two sites considered potentially suitable (Brandon Remembrance Playing Fields or IES Breckland School), and one is area wide (Newmarket) as a preferred site could not be agreed upon. This project is only required if proposed housing growth is realised in the area and if this results in significant increases in football demand. Where site specific locations have not been identified, further work is required to determine the most appropriate host venues.

The small-sided projects are identified at Eriswell Road Playing Field (Lakenheath Sports Pavilion) and in the Moreton Hall Area. Here, not enough demand exists for the creation of full size pitches; however, local clubs are unlikely to be fully satisfied by alternative, full size provision. Whilst Eriswell Road Playing Field (Lakenheath Sports Pavilion) is identified, other options within the Lakenheath area could be explored instead. Discussion are ongoing with Lakenheath FC to determine who the best operators of a facility would be.

In addition to the projects identified, it must also be noted that 3G FTPs have been created or are proposed in close proximity to the West Suffolk border at Newmarket Town FC as well as in Thurston and Thetford. As some West Suffolk based demand may be catered for by these facilities, such provision should be considered and monitored when investing in 3G pitches in West Suffolk to ensure sustainability and financial viability.

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 16 grass pitch sites in West Suffolk with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance), containing 69 grass pitches. Of these, three are considered to have good quality pitches, five are of standard quality and eight are of poor quality.

Local consultation shows common issues with poor quality, low availability and overuse and it is recommended that these are addressed

Of the 16 key pitch sites referenced above it was determined that ten of these should be prioritised for improvements. This will result in quality improvements to 31 pitches.

Ten priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by consultation with clubs and leagues and was ratified by the steering group. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition as well as sites with the most pitches and that are most well utilised (or that have the potential to be most well utilised).

Two of the projects relate to pitches that are currently unused at St James Middle School and Mildenhall College Academy. Both sites have been or are soon to be vacated by their providers, so investment would enable the provision to be protected and made available for wider community use.

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 16 key grass pitch sites in West Suffolk with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance), 11 sites have suitable changing rooms (or are not considered to be in need), two sites require improvement/replacement and three sites require new provision.

Five priority projects for potential investment are identified. This consists of two sites requiring refurbishment and three sites requiring new builds.

The three sites requiring new builds are the Victory Sports Ground, King Edward VI School and Puddlebrook. This is required at the Victory Sports Ground and King Edward VI School to service 3G provision (or 3G proposals), with existing facilities located too far away. At Puddlebrook, temporary changing facilities are currently used, with a permanent solution required.

The two sites requiring refurbishment are the New Croft and Hundon Football Field. Quality at the New Croft is adequate, but additional facilities are required, especially if a second 3G FTP is established on the site. Haverhill Rovers FC also wants to expand its social and catering facilities at the site.

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 one indoor facility that requires improvement to develop small-sided football. This relates to provision at Samuel Ward Academy. Half of the indoor space has recently been refurbished; however, the other half has not been, therefore making the venue unsuitable for indoor football (and futsal) despite high levels of demand and it being in a prominent location.

One potential opportunity for a MUGA development has been identified; at Red Lodge Sports Centre. This is based on the site being in an area of high urban population and with corresponding high local demand for informal football. An existing MUGA (with a macadam surface) at the site has quality issues and can be refurbished to make it more suitable for football activity.

In addition to the project identified above, the Council also has an aspiration for some of its other existing MUGAs to be serviced by floodlights, either permanently or via the use of portable provision. In particular, it has developed good quality MUGAs within many of the main estates within Bury St Edmunds. These would benefit from being accompanied by floodlighting.

Following local consultation, one location has been identified to support small sided informal football; Burton Centre. Here, the rationale is based on the site being situated within an urban area that is relatively deprived and has a general lack of green space and informal provision (Haverhill).

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:

• Service Manager (Operations Leisure and Culture) - West Suffolk Council
• Principal Planning Officer - West Suffolk Council
• Chief Executive - Abbeycroft Leisure
• Lead Provider - Suffolk County Council
• Director - Active Suffolk
• School Games Organiser - Active Suffolk
• Schools Development Manager - Ipswich Town Community Trust
• Centre Operational Manager - Inspire Suffolk
• Head of Business Operations - Suffolk Mind
• Chief Executive - Community Action Suffolk
• Centre Manager - Befriending Scheme
• Engagement Team - One Life Suffolk
• Development Officer - Positive Futures
• Strategic Lead for Physical Activity - Public Health Suffolk
• Neighbourhood & Partnership Team - Suffolk Constabulary
• Clerk - Bury St Edmunds Town Council
• Clerk - Brandon Town Council
• Clerk - Newmarket Town Council
• Suffolk & Ipswich League
• Bury & District Sunday League
• Brandon Town Community FC
• Bury Town FC
• Haverhill Rovers FC
• Mildenhall Youth FC
• Moreton Hall Youth FC
• Sporting 87 FC