New 3G Pitch opens at East Riding Leisure Beverley to boost grassroots sport

A state-of-the-art 3G Pitch has been officially opened by the Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, for East Riding Leisure Beverley.

The new 3G Pitch was made possible thanks to investment from the Premier League, The FA, Commuted Sums, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Government's Football Foundation. After netting a £617,000 grant from the Football Foundation, £90,000 of Commuted Sums and £200,000 investment from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, work began on the site in November, 2020. The 3G pitch replaces the previous well used grass pitches.

The grant enabled East Riding Leisure Beverley to offer an enhanced training and match play facility.

The new facility comprises a full sized adult pitch which splits into a variety of smaller pitches to suit the clubs’ needs and different age groups. This has replaced the grass pitches which were prone to water logging.

The site will be used by the two partner clubs, Beverley Town FC and Tickton AFC, together with numerous other local clubs, with clubs accessing the facility, from pre-school to veterans.

East Riding Leisure Beverley also aims to develop as a female football hub and host girls’ teams for training and match play, provide recreational female only football through Just Play and Walking Football, and increase the number of female coaches and referees. They also aim to link with local partners to develop Disability teams for training and match play, while providing recreational disability football opportunities.

Tigers Trust will be offering football coaching to schools throughout school holidays.

Beverley Town FC and Tickton AFC worked in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the East Riding County FA to secure the Football Foundation funding.

Coby Kemp, senior facility manager, East Riding Leisure Beverley, said: “I’d like to thank the Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Councillor Nigel Wilkinson, for opening the 3G Facility. I would also like to thank the Premier League, The FA and Government’s funding through the Football Foundation and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Commuted Sums for the funding to develop this amazing facility to improve grassroots sport provision in the area.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “We are delighted that ERL Beverley 3G Pitch is now open to the public after receiving Football Foundation investment.

“Good quality facilities support the health of local people and communities, which is why we’re investing in projects like this across the country with funding provided by the Premier League, The FA, East Riding of Yorkshire Council Commuted Sums, Government and Sport England.”

Mark Smith, chairman of Beverley Town FC, said : “It is wonderful for Beverley Town Juniors to finally have a home. It is superb facility which we hope will be our home for many years to come. The feedback has been simply stunning from coaches, players and parents.

“This facility has transformed local football and has enabled so many more children to play football at so many levels. We look forward to working with you for many years to come.”

Jimmy Traynor, President of Tickton AFC, said : “We have a long history of working with East Riding Leisure Beverley, and were one of the original grassroots clubs and partners. This wonderful new facility is a pathway for local girls to get involved in playing football, and is another step towards getting rid of any stigma of girls playing. We now have six female coaches in our club, and are looking to the future to find more.”

Main Photo : (l to r) : Rebecca Bolton, (East Riding County Football Association); John Suddards (East Riding County Football Association); Coby Kemp; Councillor Nigel Wilkinson; Pete Skinner (ERYC); Adam Lowthorpe (East Riding County Football Association); Jimmy Traynor; and Rachel Sullivan, East Riding County Football Association.