Lutterworth Athletic Open New 3g pitch
Lutterworth Athletic have opened a new state-of-the-art 3G pitch thanks to a £537k grant from the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation.
The GSS Arena has been renovated and now features a cutting-edge FIFA 3G pitch, which will enhance the playing experience for all players in the local community.
The new 3G facility has replaced a former 11v11 grass pitch that was in poor condition and will provide a vital playing facility that can be used all year round. The pitch will also provide flexibility for several youth and adult teams to play affiliated matches on.
Lutterworth Athletic is an England Football accredited club playing in the United Counties Football League and has more than 400 players aged six to 70, representing 28 teams, including a newly formed Wildcat Centre for girls.
The club is also home to Brooke House Football Academy, Lutterworth Football Academy and Lutterworth five-a-side leagues, which support many local businesses, including Magna Park and Football Development Schools. The new 3G pitch will also be used by local grassroots clubs and schools as well as Lutterworth Community Organisations, who have a close association with the football club.
Mike English, Chairperson of Lutterworth Athletic said: “I’m delighted that the project has progressed so well after serious delays caused by COVID and the increased cost of both materials and labour.
"On behalf of the members and everyone connected with the club, I would like to place on record our huge thanks and appreciation to the Football Foundation, Harborough District Council, and Leicestershire and Rutland County FA.
“I would also like to extend my appreciation to Lafarge, Tarmac, the Magna Park Community Fund, HDC 106 and Gazeley Properties as well as the construction companies LANO, CLS, and MJE Contracts.
“They have all come together and worked with the club over the last six years to turn our vision of creating a football hub that will benefit the community of Lutterworth into a reality.”
Shaun Waite, Head of Football Development and Facilities of the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA, said: “We congratulate Lutterworth Athletic on its successful application to the Football Foundation to develop a new 3G pitch for the club and the local football community.
“This site was one of many strategic priority sites outlined within the Local Football Facility Plan for Harborough, so we are delighted to see it delivered and benefit the local football community.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, the FA and the Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“We’re delighted that the local community in Lutterworth will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the new facilities at Lutterworth Athletic.”
Learn more on how your club could benefit from investment from the Football Foundation, whether through small or large grants using the link below.
You can also find out more about the facilities planned for your area by reading the Local Football Facility Plan for your area below.