Research shows exercising more was the UK’s most common New Year’s resolution for 2024*, and the Government is helping hundreds of thousands more people across the UK keep their resolution and get active by delivering high-quality grassroots sport facilities.
From Belfast to Bracknell, over 1,100 projects are receiving funding that will go towards facilities such as changing rooms, pavilions, state of the art 3G artificial grass pitches, goalposts and floodlights, improving access to sport and physical activity for local communities.
Sports Minister Stuart Andrew announced the funding during a visit to Oaklands Park in Chichester, where over £700,000 from the Government, The Premier League and The FA’s Football Foundation will help Chichester City Youth FC (CCYFC) use the expanded capacity on their new pitch to support even more teams.
With the new funding, Chichester City FC and CCYFC will also build on their strong women and girls offering by increasing the number of teams within five years of completion of the new pitch.
As part of an £81 million investment, 900 projects in England are already benefiting from funding from the Government and its Football Foundation partners the Premier League and The FA, with many more to follow.
This will deliver over 60 artificial grass pitch projects, over 130 grass pitch projects and 35 changing facility projects, as well as floodlights and goalposts.
Local communities across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also benefit with an unprecedented £12 million being invested by the UK Government in 2023/24, delivered in partnership with the Scottish FA, the Irish FA, Cymru Football Foundation and Football Association of Wales. A further £9 million is also being committed across the home nations for projects to be delivered through 2024/25.
In Scotland, the funding will deliver over 20 artificial grass pitch projects and four grass pitch projects. In Wales eight projects will get new changing rooms, while 12 projects in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from new floodlighting.
Some of the beneficiaries from this year’s round of investment include:
Wirral Borough Council has received £1.1 million for a new 3G artificial grass pitch, changing rooms and grass pitch works at the Bidston Sports and Activity Centre in Birkenhead.
Norfolk County Football Association has received over £670,000 for a brand new 7-a-side floodlit 3G artificial grass pitch.
Poppleton United FC in York has received almost £20,000 for a new tractor and mower.
Portland United Youth FC in Dorset has received over £10,000 for new portable floodlights.
Dunfermline Athletic FC will receive £325,000 for a brand new artificial grass pitch.
Cyngor Gwynedd in Wales has received £300,000 for a new artificial grass pitch at Arfon Leisure Centre.
Fivemiletown United Football Club in Northern Ireland has received £400,000 for a new artificial grass pitch with floodlights.