Local sports pitches benefit from Sport England funding

Rochdale Mayfield Rugby Club received £65,000 for Pitch Construction

Norden Cricket Club and Rochdale Mayfield Rugby Club are amongst sports pitches to be created and improved thanks to nearly £3.7 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Protecting Playing Fields fund.

Norden was awarded £45,465 for the improvement of drainage and irrigation of the cricket pitch and Mayfield was awarded £65,000 for pitch construction.

Since its launch in 2011, 399 projects have benefited from a total of £22 million of investment over six rounds, with more than 1,000 pitches protected and improved.

Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: “The latest round of our Protecting Playing Fields fund continues to make a real difference to community sports clubs up and down the country by supporting one of the most important resources in sport. By protecting and improving playing fields in communities across the country, we’re ensuring people and teams have a place to get active and enjoy sport all year round.”

Minister for Sport, Helen Grant, said: “This £3.7 million lottery funding is helping to protect and improve playing fields across the country, giving a better sports experience to thousands. Combined with our on-going work to put down more 3G pitches this will also mean sports fixtures become less victims of the weather and enable play all-year-round.”

Protecting Playing Fields enhances the role Sport England already plays in safeguarding playing fields. The future of all sites funded through this programme will be secured for a minimum of 25 years.

The funding for playing fields improvements is also in addition to our special £5 million flood relief fund that is helping restore pitches and repair sports facilities.