Almost £1m has been given to Wisbech St Mary Sports and Community Centre to create a new stadia 3G pitch. The money will come via a grant of £978,583 grant from the Premier League, the FA, and the Government’s Football Foundation.
The pitch will provide additional opportunities for women and girls and disabled participants to play football, and Wisbech St Mary Football Club will also be able to create an inclusive community football hub in Fenland.
The improved facilities will help to preserve the grass pitches which are heavily used by 22 teams.
The site will be used by Wisbech St Mary Football Club, Wisbech St Mary C of E Academy, local community groups and Cambridgeshire FA.
This project has also been supported by an additional £156,000 from Wisbech St Mary Community Centre, Wisbech St Mary Football club and The Hudson Trust.
Paul Albutt, trustee, Wisbech St Mary Sports & Community Centre said: “We currently run 22 football teams for children and adults.
“This grant will enable us to expand our football offer to more people of all ages within our local community including disabled and walking football.
“We will also be able to offer casual turn up and play sessions for all. We are looking to introduce a full-time football scholarship programme in conjunction with a local partner.
He added: “These are certainly exciting times ahead for Wisbech St Mary and we thank the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation and Cambridgeshire FA for showing faith in our project.”
Katie Critchley, Football Development Manager at Cambridgeshire FA said: “It’s fantastic news that Wisbech St Mary Sports & Community have successfully secured Football Foundation funding for a Stadia 3G pitch.
“This investment will not only enhance the playing experience for local teams and community groups but also underscores their commitment to grassroots football.
“The new pitch will serve as a catalyst for growth and community activities, ensuring everyone who would like to play football, has the opportunity to do so. We’re incredibly pleased for everyone involved and we’re excited to see this facility come to life”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“This grant award to Wisbech St Mary Sports & Community Centre towards developing a new pitch is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”
About the Football Foundation
The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and Government’s charity that delivers outstanding grassroots facilities, more and better places to play, transforming lives and communities where it is needed most.
The Foundation’s goal is to unlock the power of pitches ensuring everyone has a great place to play regardless of gender, race, disability, or place.
Since its creation in 2000, the Foundation has invested more than £1 billion to improve grassroots facilities across the country – including 1,100 3G football turf pitches, 12,000 grass pitches and 1,400 changing rooms. This has attracted an additional £1.3 billion of partnership funding – totalling over £2 billion investment in grassroots football so far.
In partnership with local authorities, County FAs and other community stakeholders, the Foundation has created Local Football Facility Plans for every local authority in England. These Plans act as a blueprint for providing the grassroots football facility improvements that each community needs and deserves across the country.
Visit https://footballfoundation.org.uk/ for more information on the foundation.
