The Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme (SWFCCP) are delighted to announce a brand-new facility to benefit people in the city.
Having successfully secured a grant of £671,292 from the Premier League, The Football Association, and the Government’s Football Foundation, SWFCCP have installed a full-size 3G pitch with floodlights at the community site of the Jubilee Sports & Social Club on Claywheels Lane in Hillsborough.
SWFCCP worked with the Football Foundation and County FA to secure the funding towards the project. Further funds of £288,000 were secured from local and international software company WANdisco, Sheffield City Council, the EFL Trust and unrestricted reserves through the Community Programme itself.
The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone by championing fair access to quality facilities.
The project enables SWFCCP to provide opportunities for people to engage in sport and improve lifestyles via a wide range of activities for all age groups.
Footballers will enjoy playing on a world-class 3G pitch, with upgraded dressing rooms and a renovated gym area representing a major overhaul of existing facilities.
Marcus Brameld, Head of Community at SWFC, said: “This project will only enhance our work in the local community. Having an in-house community facility has been a vision for many years. I would like to thank the numerous partners involved, together we have been able to provide a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Hillsborough that will benefit many adults and children for years to come.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, added: “This grant awarded to the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, developing a brand-new 3G pitch with floodlights and upgraded dressing rooms, is great news for the local community.
“It will support people’s ability to play our national game locally and therefore help unlock football’s many benefits to physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why we’re committed to transforming the face of grassroots football facilities in this country.
“It’s therefore very welcome news to hear that this funding will support the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme in developing inclusion, health, education, and participation initiatives for their local area.
“The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, FA, Government and Sport England – to support facility development projects like this across the country over the next decade to transform our grassroots game and unlock the power of pitches.”
David Richards, founder and CEO of WANdisco, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this inspiring Community Programme. Playing sport brings people together, promotes team spirit and is excellent for morale and mental health. Everybody should have access to high quality sporting facilities.”
The facility opens to the public on 1 January 2023. To enquire about pitch availability and for further information, please email: marcus.brameld@swfc.co.uk