Local Football Facility Plan Wokingham

Wokingham is in the South East Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 164,980. This is expected to rise to 181,935 by 2039.

Wokingham is ranked 66 out of 67 LAs in the region, and 325 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Wokingham's ethnic composition is primarily white (88.43%). This is comparable to the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of its population represented by the BAME community is 11.57%. This is similar to the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

The Wokingham Council Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy (2018-2021) commits it to getting people of all ages and abilities more physically active, reducing social isolation and loneliness and narrowing the health inequalities gap. Outcomes set out include:

• Improved physical and mental health for all ages
• Full utilisation of green and blue spaces
• Supporting and partnership with local sports clubs
• Lower percentage of overweight people
• Creating resilient communities
• Linking up with new development programmes
• Helping those most deprived to enjoy more years in good health
• Greater access to heath promoting resources

The Authority Playing Pitch Strategy was adopted in 2019. The key findings and stated overarching priorities are to improve grass pitches and supporting infrastructure at key sites and to increase the stock of 3G FTPs.

County football association

Wokingham is covered by Berks & Bucks 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 Reading FC Community Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Places Leisure is a key leisure operator in Wokingham, operating sites such as Arborfield Leisure Centre and St Crispin's Leisure Centre, although football provision at its sites is somewhat limited. The majority of football stock is operated by schools as well as parish and town councils.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Wokingham. 21 individuals (representing 19 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Wokingham Borough Council
• Get Berkshire Active
• Places Leisure
• Wokingham Youth Centre

(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. Wokingham has a total of 524 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 ten years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Wokingham, 21 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Wokingham & Emmbrook FC - 48 teams
• Pinewood FC - 36 teams
• Laurel Park FC - 33 teams
• Finchampstead FC - 31 teams
• Ashridge Park - 28 teams
• Twyford Comets FC - 27 teams

Leagues

Eight leagues cater for clubs and teams in Wokingham. They offer competitive opportunity for many different players, including women and girls, youth and adults. While there is no specific league opportunity for disability football within Wokingham, suitable provision is made in neighbouring Oxford. The largest of the local leagues (2018-19) include:

• East Berks Football Alliance – 870 teams– home and away
• Berkshire Youth Development League – 334 teams– central venue at multiple sites
• Berkshire County Girls Football League – 122 teams– home and away

The County FA reports significant cross boundary migration to/from Wokingham; teams migrate inwards from the Reading and West Berkshire areas and outwards to the Berkshire Youth Development League in Reading.

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 Wokingham there are three 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.

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. Wokingham has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 64, Wokingham’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’ league is the Berkshire County Girls 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 Thames Valley Counties Women's League which plays matches on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Reading FC. 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 Reading FC Women 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. A key local provider is Goals.

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 five futsal teams in Wokingham playing in the Berkshire Futsal League at key site locations including Maiden Erlegh and Bohunt schools. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for 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 Wokingham. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as SHINE and Wokingham & Emmbrook FC. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include flexi leagues, small-sided women's leagues and Kickz which are delivered by a range of organisations including Berks & Bucks FA and Reading FC Community Trust.

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 Wokingham is played particularly in the east and central parts of the local authority. Sol Joel Park, Woodford Park and Cantley Park are key well-used site locations.

The key strengths of local football in Wokingham include mini soccer, youth male and female provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, there are aspects of football provision that do not compare favourably with local authorities of a similar size, including disability football.

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

1. Disability football growth
2. Adult male retention
3. Wildcats growth

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 Wokingham. 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.

There are five full sized (11v11) 3G FTPs in Wokingham located at:

• Bearwood Park
• Bohunt School
• Emmbrook School
• Ryeish Green Sports Hub
• The Piggott School

In addition, there is one small-sided 3G FTP centre, with 13 cages provided at Goals Soccer Centre plus five standalone small-sided 3G FTPs located at:

• Hillside Primary School (65m x 35m)
• Floreat Montague Park School (90m x 48m)
• Northern House School (30m x 18m)
• St Crispin's Leisure Centre (46m x 34m)
• Woodford Park Leisure Centre (80m x 50m)

Four of the five full sized 3G FTPs are available for community use. No access is available to Bearwood Park due to professional club use by Reading FC. The small-sided pitches at Hillside Primary School and Northern House School are also unavailable for community use, primarily due to the absence of floodlights. All the full sized 3G FTPs are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play), as are the small-sided venues at Woodford Park Leisure Centre and Goals Soccer Centre. It is strongly recommended that the remaining community available small-sided FTPs are assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G, especially in the case of Floreat Montague Park School given its larger size and the volume of demand it can accommodate.

The Wokingham PPS indicates a shortfall of 11 full size 3G FTPs. However, this was before the installation of the pitch at Emmbrook School. Moreover, it did not account for the contribution of the small-sided pitches, particularly those at Floreat Montague Park School and Woodford Park Leisure Centre which are at least large enough to accommodate youth 9v9 demand (together, these pitches contribute at least one full size FTP equivalent). Within the figures applied, it also included demand from Berks Elite FC (circa 35 teams) which, whilst currently playing in Wokingham, would prefer to access provision in Reading thus reducing 3G need in Wokingham (and increasing it in Reading). Given these factors, it is considered that the actual shortfall of 3G FTPs in Wokingham equates to eight, taking into account current affiliation data and the FA training ratio model (1:38).

A full size 3G FTP is to be developed at Arborfield Primary School, exclusive of this plan and without funding from the Football Foundation. This will reduce the shortfall to seven pitches when installed, although usage should be monitored to ensure the provision meets the outcomes and demand expected. If it does not, further provision may be required in a more suitable area/location. In addition, the Forest School has planning permission to build an indoor 3G pitch (55m x 35m).

The geographic spread of existing facilities is even, with current provision distributed across the Authority. This means that the shortfall is also distributed. Local consultation reveals common issues with limited 3G availability and the recommendations in this plan are designed to address this. This will help to alleviate the fact that many large clubs currently cater for their training demand across numerous sites due to the lack of capacity; in addition many teams training on sand-based AGPs rather than 3G FTPs.

Six investment projects are identified delivering seven full sized 3G FTPs (one involves the development of two on the same site). This will address the shortfall in 3G provision. Implementation of these will help provision to cater effectively for the demand from affiliated football alongside community requirements, across the Authority.

Three proposals are site specific; the creation of one full sized 3G FTP at both Berkshire County Sports Club and Cantley Park and two at Grays Farm Sports Hub. The latter is a new site that is to be developed. Whilst only one pitch is proposed at Cantley Park, there could be scope for additional provision in the future should demand increase given the key nature of the venue.

Two of the remaining projects propose areas rather than specific sites. This is due to no preferred option being identified for either during the LFFP process, with numerous options available for both. The areas are Earley and Woodley, both of which house large clubs in need of additional 3G FTP provision.

The final project is an either/or option between developing a second full size 3G FTP at Berkshire County Sports Club or alternatively developing a pitch at Waingels College.

Whilst no additional 3G provision has been detailed in the Spencers Wood / Shinfield area, it is acknowledged that the existing 3G pitch at Ryeish Green Sports Hub is operating close to capacity. As such, this situation should be continually monitored.

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 25 grass pitch sites in Wokingham with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 127 grass pitches. Of these, four are considered to have good quality pitches, 12 are of standard quality and nine are poor quality.

Local consultation confirms the widespread issue of poor grass pitch quality and overuse and the need to address this. Many of the larger local clubs have to spread their training and match play across numerous venues rather than being based at one site; some of these are open to exploring asset transfer in order to have a home base.

Of the 25 key pitch sites referenced above it was determined that 10 of these should be prioritised. This will result in quality improvements to 47 pitches.

Ten priority projects for potential investment are identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS and ratified by local partners. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition, that had the most pitches and that were, or have the potential to be, most 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 25 key grass pitch sites in Wokingham with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) 19 have suitable clubhouses/pavilions (or are without provision but are not considered to be in need), four require improvement/replacement and two have no facilities and require new builds.

In addition to the key sites identified above, it is considered that Wokingham & Emmbrook Football Club also needs new clubhouse provision; however, this does not feature as a recommendation within this plan as the venue will instead qualify for support from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.

Six priority projects for potential investment are identified. Four of these relate to the need for clubhouse refurbishments at Berkshire County Sports Club, Cantley Park, Finchampstead Memorial Ground and Laurel Park. Berkshire County Sports Club needs to be reconfigured due to the dated nature of the existing building, whilst the emphasis at Laurel Park should be on toilet, social and catering amenities as it is reported that the changing rooms are rarely used. Facilities at Cantley Park and Finchampstead Memorial Ground are also dated, which is a particular issue at the latter site as the changing rooms are not segregated despite it accommodating female users.

The two remaining projects are for new facilities to be provided at Sandford Park and Wargrave Recreation Ground. Neither site has demand that requires access to changing facilities; however, new toilets are required as a lack of such provision is currently problematic. Some form of community space would also be beneficial at Sandford Park - the Council identifies this as an opportunity to be innovative.

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 indicates that, at present, no indoor facilities require improvement to develop small sided football.

Five potential opportunities to develop MUGAs have been identified. In each case, the rationale is based on the site being in an area of significant population with corresponding high local demand for informal football. Areas with relatively high proportions of people from lower social economic groups have also been targeted.

No locations have been identified to support small sided informal football. The development of MUGAs is preferred.

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:

• Sport & Leisure Manager - Wokingham Borough Council
• Sport & Leisure Officer - Wokingham Borough Council
• Social Inclusion Officer - Wokingham Borough Council
• Chief Executive Officer - Get Berkshire Active
• Chairperson - AFC Reading
• Managing Director - Berks Elite FC
• Secretary - Finchampstead FC
• Chairman - Laurel Park FC
• Secretary - Pinewood FC
• Founder - USports
• Chairman - Reeves Rangers FC
• Chairman - Shinfield Rangers FC
• Secretary - Spencerswood FC
• Secretary - Twyford Comets FC
• Chairman - Wargrave Women's & Girls' FC
• Secretary - Woodley Saints FC
• General Manager - Woodley United FC
• Clerk - Earley Town Council
• Clerk - Woodley Town Council
• Manager - Wokingham Youth Centre
• Officer - Wokingham Mencap