New 3G Pitch Opens At Chichester City FC Thanks To Football Foundation Investment
A new 3G stadia pitch has opened at Oaklands Park in Chichester for the local community thanks to a £729,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
In addition to the funding from the Foundation, the remaining project value was provided by £150k from the Premier League Stadium Fund via the Club Development Fund, £30k from Chichester City FC and £300k from Chichester District Council.
The Football Foundation and Chichester City FC (CCFC) were joined by coaches and players from Chichester University and Chichester College and Albion in the Community who put the new pitch through its paces. Local MP Gillian Keegan and District Council members along with Sports Minister Stuart Andrew MP, there to celebrate the opening and highlight that more than 900 projects in England are already benefiting from £81 million funding from the Government and its Football Foundation partners the Premier League and The FA.
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.
The 3G stadia pitch will continue to be home to CCFC, whose senior men's side play in the Isthmian League South East Division (Step 4 of the National League System). The Club also plans to create four new female teams and its first disability teams in the next five years.
Chichester University will use the new pitch to deliver football and multi-sport programmes, such as ultimate frisbee and Flag Football (a non-contact version of American football) in the daytime. Meanwhile, the official charity of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Albion in the Community, will run both boys’ and girls’ player pathways centres at the site. The club has also partnered up with local charities; a homeless charity and a refugee charity to run programmes and also Sussex FA who will run disability football sessions.
Robert Sullivan, CEO, Football Foundation said:
“This year, the Football Foundation will provide more great places to play than ever before.
“This 3G stadia pitch is just one of many sports facilities across the county that will have a transformative impact on physical and mental wellbeing, bringing people together and strengthening the local community here in Chichester from the roots up."
“Thanks to investment from the Premier League, The FA and Government we will deliver better pitches ensuring healthier lives and stronger communities.”
Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said:
“Sport and physical activity are vital to our mental health and wellbeing, and each year thousands of people make a New Year's resolution to exercise more.
“We know one of the major barriers to getting active is having access to high-quality sports facilities, which is why we are investing in 1,100 more projects, backed by £93 million.
“This government has delivered thousands of new projects across the UK with the aim of getting over 120,000 more people to get active, helping us to make big strides towards meeting our ambitious target of 3.5 million more people active by 2030.”