Football Foundation Funding could be a ‘once-in-a-decade opportunity’ for facilities in Fenland

Fenland District Council is set to apply for funding that will provide facilities labelled as a “once-in-a-decade opportunity”.

The council’s Cabinet approved recommendations that will see it apply for approximately £375,000 worth of grant money from the Football Foundation to secure investment in the construction of two PlayZone small-sided multi-sport pitches in Whittlesey and Wisbech.

A report to this month’s cabinet meeting points out that applying for the grant funding will see the expectation of support from grants from FCC Community Action Fund and Wisbech Town Board.

PlayZone designs include sports fixtures being built into the fencing for example goalposts, basketball and netball hoops, and fixed fence cricket wickets.

Where that is not possible such as the need for more ad-hoc loose equipment, each PlayZone has been designed with a built-in storage solution where such equipment can be held securely.

The PlayZone project has several goals including increasing participation in football and other sports and activities: By providing accessible and safe spaces to play, the project aims to encourage more children and young people to participate in football.

It also aims to promote social inclusion with four main priority groups including women and girls, disabled people, ethnically diverse communities, and lower socio-economic groups.

Working together with the Football Foundation, community consultation has taken place in four locations in Fenland, with a fifth location identified by the Football Foundation.

The report says the consultation has led to a two-tranche approach, suggested by the Football Foundation, of developing two facilities initially to be delivered by summer 2025.

The four locations were Barton Road football pitch, Wisbech, Manor Field, Whittlesey, Estover Field, March, and Lime Avenue Whittlesey. The fifth site is Wisbech Town Park.
Lime Avenue was assessed by the Football Foundation but was found to be unsuitable because of its location within a dense housing area with limited parking.

The report says Estover Park is developing very well but added a shortfall of 2.3 full-sized 3G pitches in March had been identified and adds the spread of existing facilities is uneven with a key provision gap in March and also in Whittlesey.

The report adds: “Due to high team numbers in each area who don't currently access 3G FTPs, it is recommended that these shortfalls are addressed via full-sized provision.

“With the gap in provision of a full-sized 3G synthetic turf pitch in March, the Football Foundation proposes to move this project forwards and at the same time add a PlayZone into the same project.

“This will ensure that both facilities are delivered as financially efficiently as possible, with sporting provision in March increased significantly. It is expected that the PlayZone at this site will enhance facilities for the local netball club that is flourishing at the Estover facility amongst other sports.”

However, the Football Foundation is satisfied that a PlayZone facility at both Barton Road and the Manor Field would be successful projects. Infrastructure is located on the sites and local communities are familiar with the facilities, so uptake should be strong.

The report adds: “Following consultation responses and the Football Foundation feedback above, the PlayZone programme will be split into two tranches.

The first is delivery of Manor Field and Barton Road PlayZones by next summer and the second would be delivery of the Wisbech Park PlayZone to be considered by Cabinet in a fresh report in the middle of next year.

Development of the 3G pitch and PlayZone at Estover Park will be a separate project managed between the Community Interest Company managing Estover Park, Cambridgeshire FA, and the Football Foundation.

The report to Cabinet prepared by Phil Hughes the council’s head of leisure services, concluded: “The opportunity to deliver these impressive PlayZone facilities in Fenland is a once-in-a-decade opportunity with significant funding being provided by the Football Foundation.

“These facilities are needed by our local communities. The benefits are significant and with Fenland identified as a priority area for the funding, it is an opportunity to support our local communities with their health and physical activity, reduce anti-social behaviour, increase community cohesion and support underserved groups with enjoyable opportunities to be active.”