SECTION 9 – PLAYING PITCH PROVISION 9. Playing pitch provision Introduction 9.1 This analysis of playing pitches has been undertaken following the methodology outlined by Sport England in ‘Towards a Level Playing Field – A Manual for the Production of Playing Pitch Strategies’ (Sport England and CCPR 2003). 9.2 It considers voluntary participation by adults and young people in competitive: • football • cricket • rugby • hockey. 9.3 This section presents the key findings arising from pitch specific survey work and consultation, highlighting areas of concern and opportunity. It also summarises the key issues arising from general consultations undertaken as part of the PPG17 assessment. 9.4 The following areas are considered: • the current picture – a review of current participation trends and playing pitch provision in England for pitch sports and outdoor sports, at national and local levels • methodology – a summary of the process advocated in ‘Towards a Level Playing Field’ • the current position supply and demand situation– a quantitative and qualitative appraisal of current playing pitches across Charnwood and an evaluation of demand for pitches in the borough • application of Sport England’s Playing Pitch Methodology (PPM). Charnwood Borough Council - Open Spaces, Sport & Recreation Study Page 206 SECTION 9 – PLAYING PITCH PROVISION Context Active People survey 9.5 The Sport England Active People surveys 2005/6 (Active People Survey 1) and 2007/8 (Active People Survey 2), suggest that football is one of the top three sports nationally in terms of percentage increase in participation, with an additional 122,000 people taking up the game between the two surveys. 9.6 The breakdown of participation by sports affecting this playing pitch strategy, and the change in participation between Active People Survey 1 and Active People Survey 2, is shown in Table 9.1 below. Table 9.1 - Sport by sport results – Active People Survey % of the adult % change in % of the adult population (16 participation Sport and population (16 plus) taking recreational plus) taking part at part at least activities least once a week – once a week – 2007/08 2005/06 +0.21 (statistically Football (all) 4.97 5.15 significant) +0.01 (not statistically Cricket 0.48 0.49 significant) +0.10 (statistically Rugby Union 0.48 0.49 significant) +0.01 (not statistically Hockey (field) 0.23 0.24 significant) 9.7 The results for the first quarter of 2009 indicate that between 2008 and 2009, the proportion of people participating once a month or more has: • shown a statistically significant decline for rugby and football • remained static for hockey and cricket. 9.8 Key national statistics, trends, issues and implications for future demand for playing pitches are outlined in Table 9.2 overleaf. This information is based on Sport England National Governing Body (NGB) guidance packs that outline the participation status for each sport. This context will be important in determining the future demand for pitch sports in Charnwood. Charnwood Borough Council - Open Spaces, Sport & Recreation Study Page 207 SECTION 9 – PLAYING PITCH PROVISION Table 9.2 - National trends in pitch sports Key facts Key trends Implication for pitches and ancillary facilities 1.47 million young people More children are More mini soccer and aged 11-15 participate in playing due to popularity junior pitches are football regularly of mini soccer needed Female participation has More women are playing Improved quality of risen 21%, equating to the game ancillary facilities and in 35,000 more players particular dedicated changing facilities Informal 5-a-side football More mid-week fixtures Players defecting to five- has grown in popularity in (often five-a-side a-side, therefore recent years leagues) and more non- additional synthetic turf grass pitches and indoor space may be required The Active People survey More pitches will be The vast number of indicates that 7.1% of the needed children playing mini- Football Football active population now play soccer will result in the football regularly, making need for more junior and football the 5th most mini pitches in the future popular sport in the UK in and in the long term, terms of participation, with adult pitches. 2.9 million participants As illustrated in Paragraph 9.5, according to the Active People Survey, football has had the third largest increase of all sports between 2005/ 2006 and 2006/2007. 28% of cricketers are aged Increased participation More pitches used for 16-19, compared to 12% by young people Kwik cricket and new who have participated in mobile pitches any sport or active introduced in schools recreation Female participation has Increased participation Improved access risen from 0.14% to 0.19%, by women needed to quality a rise of 0.05 percent. This training pitches and represents a change from improved ancillary 16,000 to 29,000 facilities in smaller clubs Cricket participants, 13,000 is required additional female participants. England won The Ashes in The England and Wales Increased pressure on 2005 and subsequently Cricket Board has pitch availability, and lost the series in 2007. reported a 50% increase requirements for in participation across all additional ancillary forms of cricket accommodation Charnwood Borough Council - Open Spaces, Sport & Recreation Study Page 208 SECTION 9 – PLAYING PITCH PROVISION Key facts Key trends Implication for pitches and ancillary facilities Rugby - Making An Impact Rugby union is predicted Clubs will be targeted to is the most comprehensive to grow by 0.1% from ensure they can run study into participation 0.6% to 0.7% between additional teams, trends in rugby union in 2005 and 2013. This therefore the demand for England. 254 ex-players, represents a 17% pitches will at least 193 people involved in change remain static or rugby at all levels, and potentially increase 1,708 members of the (positive outcome of public were interviewed Rugby World Cup 2007 between January and April may have had an 2003. impact) The Active People survey Many initiatives are in May require better Rugby indicates that rugby is the place to increase quality pitches with 21st most popular sport in opportunities and ancillary facilities and the UK, with participation promote the sport increased promotion of rates of 0.7%. junior rugby Women’s participation has Increase in participation Improved clubhouse increased significantly in by women. Women’s facilities and increased recent years. rugby is still a minority access to pitches sport but is stronger than ever, particularly in universities Hockey is one of top five Slight decline in youth Continuing requirement most popular games in participation. Emphasis for STPs and improved schools, although adult therefore is placed on clubhouse facilities to participation has declined promoting hockey meet league recently and the number of among young people to requirements and to children citing it as secure the future of the encourage club/team enjoyable has dropped game. However, many formation may be Hockey from 13% to 10%. The clubs still do not have required Active People survey access to STPs indicates that 0.3% of the population participates in hockey. Current provision Quantity 9.9 There are a total of 211 pitches in the borough. These sites are listed in Appendix L. This figure includes all known public, private, school and other pitches whether they are in secured public use or not. The existing pitches comprise of the following: • 79 adult football pitches • 44 junior football pitches • 16 mini football pitches • 40 cricket pitches • 21 rugby union pitches Charnwood Borough Council - Open Spaces, Sport & Recreation Study Page 209 SECTION 9 – PLAYING PITCH PROVISION • 1 rugby league pitch • 12 synthetic turf pitches. 9.10 Of these 213 pitches, 141 (66%) are full-size adult football, cricket and rugby pitches. This equates to circa one pitch for every 903 adults in Charnwood. This ratio of pitches to adults ranks Charnwood as average in comparison with many other authorities for which data is currently available (from PMP’s database) as shown in Table 9.3. Furthermore, the number of pitches to adults is above the national average. 9.11 With the exception in the reduction of a junior playing pitch at Lodge Farm, pitch, provision is consistent with that that was recorded in the 2007 Options Appraisal although some pitches were not marked out at the time of the initial site visits. Table 9.3 – Ratio of pitches to adults Local Authority Ratio (Pitches: adults) Kennett District Council 1:365 St Albans City and District Council 1:540 Chichester District Council 1:599 South Somerset District Council 1:608 Halton Borough Council 1:677 Staffordshire Moorlands District Council 1:761 Lichfield District Council 1:766 North Lincolnshire Council 1:773 North Wiltshire District Council 1:804 Derwentside District Council 1:815 Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council 1:867 South Ribble Borough Council 1:891 Charnwood Borough Council 1:903 Swindon 1:926 Adur District Council 1:947 Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council 1:968 England 1:989 Ipswich Borough Council 1:992 Northamptonshire County 1:1,015 St Helens 1:1,050 Portsmouth City Council 1:1,100 Tamworth Borough Council 1:1,221 Sandwell MBC 1:1,327 Wolverhampton City Council 1:1,537 Charnwood Borough Council - Open Spaces, Sport & Recreation Study Page 210 SECTION 9 – PLAYING PITCH PROVISION 9.12 In addition to the grass pitches, as highlighted in section 8, there are 12 full size synthetic turf pitches located within Charnwood. Three of these pitches are 3G pitches. These pitches are suitable for competitive adult football matches and can therefore potentially alleviate shortfalls of adult grass football pitches. 9.13 There are also a number of pitches located on school sites that do not allow formal community use. These pitches are not included within the 213 pitches identified and will be discussed later in this section.