The cash bonanza will allow Tynedale Council to develop two new natural turf football pitches, a practice pitch and a changing pavilion at DukesHouse Wood in Hexham, designed for junior football. The scheme will specifically cater for children from the under eight age group up to the under 16s. It fulfils a long established need for football facilities in the Hexham area, as identified in Tynedale’s Open Space, Sport and Recreation strategy and its Playing Pitch strategy.
The project has been led by Tynedale Council through a strong partnership with Hexham Football Club, North Country Leisure (NCL) Tynedale and the Northumberland Football Association. The new facility will enable a comprehensive coaching, training and competitive football programme to be offered through the junior section of Hexham Football Club.
Jon Armstrong who deals with Hexham Football Club’s development plan said: "The Football Club in Hexham is particularly delighted to receive this news. The commitment of Tynedale Council, North Country Leisure (NCL) Tynedale, the Northumberland FA and local Councillors should not go unrecognised in this respect. All the people who have worked hard behind the scenes on this project will be rewarded by the fact that they have helped secure a fit for purpose football facility for junior and youth football serving the local community for the foreseeable future. The players and parents of all current Hexham FC team members should take pride in the fact that their own fundraising efforts have contributed to the enablement of this vision. As a local football club we have been particularly impressed by the advice offered by the Northumberland FA along with the guidance provided by the regional FA representatives. It's been a tough slog, well worth it, but the real work starts soon"
Tynedale Council has agreed to contribute £200,000 to the scheme, and has allocated a further £123,517 from its Housing Developers’ Fund for Sport, with approximately £20,000 being raised by Hexham Football Club, together with contributions from Northumberland County Council through its Members’ Local Improvement Scheme. The total project cost is around £810,000.
Cllr Mrs Fiona Hunter, portfolio holder for tourism, leisure and culture at Tynedale Council said: “The Football Foundation funding will now enable a much needed new facility to go ahead, providing increased opportunities for the local community to participate in sport, as well as encouraging health and fitness. It will also benefit children from outside the area through its proximity to the Kingswood outdoor activity centre.”
North Country Leisure (Tynedale) is playing a crucial role in helping with the club’s football development plan, and will support club and activity development through its sports development team. NCL’s chief executive John Maude said: “We are delighted with the award. It will be a great boost for junior football in the area.”
The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity with a £45m budget going straight into the heart of football.
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation said: “We warmly congratulate the club and the Northumberland County FA for their hard work and dedication in securing this award.
“Sport is playing a central role in helping people to stay fit, strengthen communities and promote responsibility amongst young people. I am delighted that Football Foundation investment is opening up access to sport in Hexham and encourage other organisations in the region to apply to us.”
Alan Wright, President of Northumberland Football Association added:
“We work hard as a county football association to get better facilities for clubs and are delighted to see further opportunities for young players coming to the west division.”
Tynedale Council will sub lease the development site from outdoor activity operators Kingswood, who are responsible for the overall management of the site.
Mervyn Turner development manager from Kingswood added: “Kingswood are delighted to be working with the Council in the delivery of this important sports facility for the benefit of the local community. Co-locating the junior football pitches next to our newly refurbished Dukeshouse Wood centre will ensure the pitches are of the benefit of the whole community for many years to come"
Work is expected to start in September 2008, with the new facilities available for the 2009/10 season.
By Autumn 2009 the football facility at DukesHouse Wood will cater for upwards of 220 young footballers, increasing to over 250 by 2012, comprising players of all ages and abilities drawn from Hexham and the surrounding areas.
(From Tynedale Council Press Release)