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Newcastle grassroots football in-line for major national investment

ByEmily

Mar 18, 2018

We are proud to announce that Newcastle has taken a big step closer to becoming part of the ‘‘Parklife’’ grassroots football programme, to develop a partnership project that could see a multi-million pound investment into modern sporting facilities in the city.

An expression of interest, submitted by Newcastle City Council working in partnership with Northumberland FA and Newcastle United Foundation has been accepted enabling Newcastle to progress to the next stage of the Parklife programme.

Parklife is a five-year commitment to building multi-pitch hubs across towns and cities in England with the aim of raising playing standards and opportunities for all. The £200m programme receives investment from The Football Association (FA) alongside the Government, Premier League and local partners.

Parklife is a nationwide project driven by The FA, the Premier League and Sport England aimed at improving football facilities through the development of new specialist hubs with artificial grass pitches.

The scheme is delivered nationally by the Football Foundation who are now working closely with the City Council and its project partners to develop two Parklife sites in Newcastle.

The City Council has led on producing feasibility work and site investigations identifying preferred sites in the city. These proposed locations are Blakelaw Park and Bullocksteads (in Kingston Park).

Newcastle would be in good company as other cities already signed up to the Parklife scheme are London, Liverpool, Sheffield and Sunderland. As well as local clubs and schools getting to use the new facilities, the Newcastle United Foundation would also deliver community outreach programmes that use the power of sport to benefit local people in the area.

Cllr Kim McGuinness, cabinet member for culture and communities at Newcastle City Council, said: “These are exciting times for Newcastle with the latest developments about Parklife representing the hard work we have been doing to promote Newcastle as a healthy, physically active city. We are building upon generations of sporting and cultural heritage that shows our desire, ambition and commitment to achieve great things.

“This is a fabulous chance to improve the sporting opportunities in Newcastle. Our bid aims to support young people through sport and help improve football in particular.

“If successful we will not only help to develop grassroots football in Newcastle but other sports and community activities will be able to secure access to state-of-the-art hub sites.”

The City Council is passionate about encouraging people to exercise more and strive to create healthy neighbourhoods that enable people to take part in activities that will benefit their health.

Mark Woodhall of the Northumberland County FA, said: “Northumberland FA are delighted to be a partner in the Parklife programme and look forward to working through the consultation process with the local football family across Newcastle. Investment into grassroots football to improve facilities will clearly support the development of playing opportunities, as well as having an impact upon the health and well-being of the wider community. We look forward to working with Newcastle City Council over the coming months.”

Steve Beharall, Operations Manager of Newcastle United Foundation, said: “We welcome the exciting announcement that The FA, Premier League and Newcastle City Council are developing Parklife hubs in the heart of our community, which will provide significant new investment into local, accessible facilities for local football provision.”

*In England, around 1.8m people participate weekly in some form of football ranging from the traditional 11 v 11 game through to informal small-sided and recreational football. There are also an estimated 1.5m volunteers who are involved – as parents, coaches, referees, ground-staff and administrators.

Once the feasibility work has been completed in early May it will signal the start of a programmed consultation period with local clubs, football leagues and communities.

For further information about the work of Newcastle City Council please visit www.newcastle.gov.uk People can also follow the Council on social media @NewcastleCityCouncil (Face Book) and @NewcastleCC (Twitter)

Also for further information about partners, supporters and funders please visit www.northumberlandfa.com / www.nufoundation.org.uk /www.footballfoundation.org.uk

By Emily