Sport and leisure
£2.6 million worth of investment made in Walsall grassroot football facilities
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Walsall Council’s Oak Park Active Living Centre is one of the local sports facilities to benefit from a £2.6 million investment in grassroots football facilities across Walsall.
Since 2000, more than 200 grants have been awarded by the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation to projects across the borough to improve football facilities. This funding has resulted in the development of 19 grass pitches, four 3G pitches, three changing rooms and 50 goalposts, supporting 369 teams in Walsall.
“ As Leader of Walsall Council, I have pledged to celebrate achievements, and I applaud this fantastic work across Walsall.
“We want our residents to be happy and well. Our recent ‘Tri-It’ events over the summer encouraged people to get active and try out new sports activities. More sports initiatives are underway, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to take up the opportunities to get active across our borough. “
“ At Oak Park Active Living Centre, funding of £250,000 was received to refurbish an existing 3G pitch in 2016.
“Sport, especially at the grassroots level, is really important for people’s physical and mental health. This links directly to our long-term vision for the borough, We are Walsall 2040. We have many opportunities for residents to get involved with physical activity in the borough which I would encourage people to take advantage of. “
Earlier this year, Walsall Council also launched its “On Ya Bike” Programme, designed to promote cycling activities across the borough.
The programme highlights the extensive range of cycling activities available at various cycling hubs situated throughout Walsall. These hubs, equipped with bikes provided free of charge, are accessible to all and aim to foster a cycling-friendly community.
For more information on the activities and events offered, visit https://go.walsall.gov.uk/parks-and-green-spaces/activities-and-events-on-offer and https://linktr.ee/cyclinginwalsall.
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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 every community has a great place to play regardless of gender, race, disability or place.
Since its creation in 2000, the Foundation has invested more than £1.1 billion to improve grassroots facilities across the country - including 1,200 3G pitches, 13,000 grass pitches and 1,500 changing rooms. This has attracted an additional £1.4 billion of partnership funding - totalling over £2.5 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 www.footballfoundation.org.uk for more information and to view the plan for your local area.
