With the recent success of the Lionesses and the Men’s EUROs coming up this summer, it’s never been more important to invest in the grassroots game to make sure everyone inspired by the national teams has a great place to play. In fact, I would put it to you that few things are more central to our national identity than sport, which is why it’s so important to give young people the opportunity to get involved and develop their interests at an early age.
Anyone who has stood on the sideline as a parent watching their child play will know how beneficial team sport is to our next generation, not just because it’s an alternative to young people being stuck indoors on their phones or playing video games, but because they’re having fun while doing it.
And in Warrington we have huge take up of junior sports, with Appleton JFC having the biggest membership across Cheshire, teams growing at Grappenhall Sports, Sankey Strikers, Lymm Rovers and Cromwell Athletic. That’s why I’ve been busy working with Government to improve access to high quality grassroots sports facilities here in Warrington South supported by an historic level of investment. But, we need the Council to ‘play ball’ and do their bit too.
Over the last few years, we’ve already seen the Government’s Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme provide funding for a brand-new artificial grass pitch at Cardinal Newman High School, Lymm High School, Broomfields, a new Rugby League pitch at Victoria Park supported by the RFL Foundation, and even new goalposts at Barrow Hall Primary School, Thornton Road Recreation Ground and Pewterspear Sports Pavilion, plus much more.
Working in partnership with the Premier League and the FA, the Government have committed funds through the Football Foundation to develop a detailed roadmap for building new and improving existing grassroots infrastructure. Just last week I met with the Foundation and Council officers in Warrington South to discuss a shared vision for our area, including projects for new or resurfaced 3G football pitches at Mary Ann Meadows, Penketh High School, Priestley College and Appleton Thorn, along with changing pavilions totalling over £10million investment.
I also want to make sure we can cater for hockey, cricket and basketball which has renewed interest, and we now have a plan. Warrington currently has eight 3G pitches of a scale that can cater for around 1,200 participants per week. The Football Foundation’s plans have identified a further eight projects for new and resurfaced 3G pitches, and I look forward to holding future discussions on how we can develop these proposals to come to fruition.
Engagement with local sports clubs is crucial for meeting their needs. I’ve previously met with mum and dad volunteers from clubs across the area to understand their ambitions for developing their clubs and sites. I’m incredibly grateful for the time and effort that parents put into their teams and the passion and enthusiasm they bring to the local area. We’ve had more than £2.2million invested locally in the last four years by the Government, and working with the Football Foundation we have an opportunity to grow this funding significantly. I’ll continue to support our junior and grassroots clubs in any way I can.
