The FA Gives Grassroots £200m Boost
The Football Association (FA) has unveiled the first of 30 new purpose-built facilities as part of its £200m scheme, Parklife.
The St George’s Park Sheffield Graves Centre opened on Wednesday 26th October, the first of 30 that will be built by 2020.
The £200m investment will look to boost the game at grassroots level, with The FA working alongside the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Premier League and other local partners.
Opening of the centre marks marks the start of a three-month bidding process for local authorities to submit expressions of interest to be part of the programme, with planning applications already approved for Parklife hubs in Liverpool and west London.
In Sheffield, the city council made significant financial contribution to the construction of three sites. In addition to Graves, in the south of the city, a further site has opened in Thorncliffe to the north with Westfield in south east Sheffield due to start construction next month, subject to final approvals.
The centres are fully accessible, present opportunities to play flexible forms of the game and are available for use by other sports. They are run and maintained using a self-sustaining model through the establishment of a newly formed Sheffield Football Trust. Leisure facilities operator Pulse will be responsible for day-to-day operation of the facilities having won the contract through competitive tender.
Martin Glenn, CEO, The FA said: “The FA is committed to football for all – through significant investment in pitches, facilities and participation programmes. The Parklife Football Hubs Programme exemplifies this.
“We have a marvellous facility here – and it is the start of something very special. As Parklife expands nationally, it will mark the end of a story all-too-familiar to the grassroots footballer of poor pitches, woefully inadequate changing facilities and a battle against the elements to get fixtures completed each winter.”
England manager, Gareth Southgate added: “When talking about player development you’re always thinking about short, medium and long-term strategies. It can’t always be about what’s right for the next 12 months.
“We have to invest in young people in this country. The benefit for these sites might not be seen for a decade but we will benefit for decades. The investment isn’t always about producing that elite player. It’s for kids and communities.
“I know grassroots clubs, football or other sports, are a massive part of the local community and it gives kids somewhere to go where they feel safe, where they get a strong positive influence around them and there’s a huge amount of social responsibility.”
Earlier this week, The FA also announced an oveseas broadcast deal for the Emirates FA Cup which was reportedly worth £1bn over six years.
The FA will also be joining the Sport Industry Breakfast Club on 10th November, with CEO Martin Glenn, and participation and development director Kelly Simmons on the panel. Ticket details and further information can be found here.
