Bradford Council and Football Foundation to invest in next generation of sports pitches

Article dated Wednesday Oct 11, 2023 at 12:27 PM

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A number of sports facilities in Bradford will undergo major improvements thanks to a funding commitment of £7millon from Bradford Council, with additional funding planned from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s the Football Foundation.

The funding is part of the council’s wider Sports Pitches Investment Programme, which has already seen significant multi agency investment in sports facilities across the district, including the creation of Wyke Community Sports Village in 2022.

The investment will fund major work at Marley Activities and Coaching Centre in Keighley along with improvements at Myra Shay Recreation Ground, various football and cricket sites, council grass pitches and a number of Play Zones, with a second 3G pitch at Wyke Sports Village also being planned.

Bradford is one of the original six councils in the country to be chosen to bid for this funding from the Football Foundation’s Hubs Programme pilot. Applications for the Hubs and all other developments are expected to land with the Foundation for funding consideration over the next 18 months.   

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places at Bradford Council met with the Football Foundation’s CEO Robert Sullivan for a tour of Wyke Community Sports Village and to discuss the plans for investment.

She said, “The success of this wonderful facility in Wyke has shown what we can do with the right investment.

“Access to good sports pitches like we have here and at similar facilities across the district is a vital part of our ambition of supporting people’s health and wellbeing. I’m excited to see what can be delivered thanks to the Foundation’s commitment to Bradford in terms of new projects and improvements to existing services.”

Robert Sullivan CEO of the Football Foundation said, “It was fantastic to join Cllr Sarah Ferriby at the Wyke Community Sports Village to celebrate our partnership with Bradford Council. It is a fantastic facility that we’ve already invested in alongside the Council.

“Bradford Council are a great partner, and their £7million investment alongside funding from the Football Foundation will create a new generation of great community sports facilities across the city. Thanks to our funding partners the Premier League, The FA and Government the Football Foundation is working to deliver brilliant facilities across the country like this so that everyone can have access to great places to play.”

This funding is part of a wider programme of investment which also sees money being made available from other partners such as the Lawn Tennis Association, England and Wales Cricket Board, Rugby Football League, and others.

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