I warmly welcome the announcement of new investment into local grassroots football facilities.
One hundred and sixteen projects across England will receive funding in the first tranche of funding to create and improve pitches, changing rooms and pavilions, so that more local communities can access high-quality facilities.
Locally, this extra funding includes £454,177 for the construction of a new floodlit 3G Football Turf Pitch in Droitwich Spa. It will support Droitwich Spa Senior, Junior, Veteran and Ladies sections - as well as providing opportunities for the recreational game including Wildcats, Walking Football and a commercial Small-Sided League. The announcement also includes £25,000 for Evesham United FC to purchase grounds maintenance machinery to improve pitch maintenance, which will have a huge positive impact on pitch quality on this large multi-pitch site.
The government has committed over £200 million of funding and this is just the first tranche of £25 million. While the focus is on football pitches, the intent is to enhance multisport facilities where possible so the impact will go well beyond football.
This investment will ensure more people can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of sport in their local communities. I am delighted that two projects in my constituency have been awarded funding, and that even more local residents will now be able to benefit from even higher quality sports facilities.
