Welshpool Town Football Club is to receive £65,000 UK Government funding to improve recently acquired junior football pitches.
The club’s junior section lost three pitches on Salop Road which were swallowed up for the development on the new Welshpool Church In Wales Primary School and recently identified land alongside the Maesydre Recreation Ground for development.
Powys County Council agreed to fund a 25 year lease on the ground as part of education transformation funding and now the football club has welcomed news of the huge £65,780 cash injection.
The grant forms part of an initial £1.3 million investment in grassroots football facilities across Wales with 17 projects set to benefit from first tranche of £230 million investment in football facilities across the UK to level up access to quality sport provision.
Projects have been chosen for their ability to deliver improved facilities in deprived areas, support multi-sport use and increase participation among currently under-represented groups, including women, girls and disabled players. Improvements will be made in partnership with the Football Association of Wales
Welshpool Town FC will use the funding to help them meet the demand for training and matches and expand the offer for walking football and girls and women's teams.
Welshpool Town Secretary Eva Bredsdorf said everyone at the football club and the junior club were excited at the news.
“We are really delighted that the grant application has been successful,” she said. “We are extremely grateful to the UK Government, the Welsh FA, Powys County Council, Welshpool Town Council and all those that have helped raise funds for this project.
“We are now looking forward to getting work started on the pitches which should hopefully be playable in a year’s time. Hopefully this will attract even more junior footballers to come forward.”
Ms Bredsdorf heaped praise on project leader Paul Coakley. “Without the drive and enthusiasm of Paul Coakley none of this would have been possible. He has driven this forward with and his professional help and guidance has been invaluable.
“The club will always be very appreciative of his hard work and support of football in this town.”
UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “We are committed to improving access to high quality sports facilities for the underprivileged and underrepresented in Wales.
“From female changing rooms at Treborth Playing Fields in Bangor to new pitches in Welshpool and Swansea, this will ensure more people can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of sport at top class facilities in their local community.”
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “Grassroots football clubs are at the heart of their communities, providing sporting opportunities but also bringing incalculable health and social benefits to local children and adults.
“They play a hugely important role and I’m thrilled that the UK Government is making this investment in facilities the length and breadth of Wales which will help the clubs and groups receiving this funding to continue their fantastic work.”
Chief Executive Noel Mooney from the Football Association of Wales said: “The Football Association of Wales is pleased to be working closely with the UK and Welsh Governments to improve facilities across Wales and are grateful for their support.
"Improving the facilities across Wales is the FAW’s number one strategic objective.
"This initial round of funding marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and the FAW will continue to work closely with all of its stakeholders, to create a facilities investment fund in order to deliver impactful projects across all corners of Wales as we strive to make football inclusive and accessible to all.”