A state-of-the-art 3G pitch was officially opened at Woolmer Hill, Haslemere last week thanks to investment from the Premier League, The FA, and the Government’s Football Foundation.
After netting a £699,000 grant from the Football Foundation, Waverley Borough Council started construction on the pitch earlier this year and there is now a new floodlit 3G pitch for community use.
Funding for the new football pitch was a real team effort with £699,000 provided by the Football Foundation and £330,000 allocated from Waverley Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levies. Beacon Hill Football Club invested £50,000 and there were also contributions of £1,500 from Sport Haslemere and Haslemere Town Football Club.
The journey to this point has been five years, from the first meeting between Beacon Hill Football Club and Waverley Borough Council. Since then, Beacon Hill Football Club and the Woolmer Hill Sports Association, alongside the wider community, has worked closely with the council and the football foundation to realise the development. The pitch is managed alongside other pitches and facilities at the Woolmer Hill site by the Woolmer Hill Sports Association and Beacon Hill Football Club.
Leading figures from Waverley Borough Council, East Hampshire District Council, Beacon Hill Football Club, community groups and local sports clubs met on Thursday 19 October to see the new 3G sports pitch in action. Beacon Hill FC girls’ teams were training hard ahead of weekend matches.
Councillor Kika Mirylees, Waverley Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Leisure and EDI, said:
“It’s been a pleasure to formally open the pitch on behalf of Waverley Borough Council and it’s fantastic to see so many talented young footballers here. There is significant demand for sports pitches in Haslemere, so it’s wonderful to be able to provide these new facilities for local people to enjoy.
“I have huge admiration for all the selfless volunteers who give up their free time to organise sporting activities for the community. They are doing amazing work. I must also say a big thank you to Woolmer Hill Sports Association who have kindly agreed to manage this new pitch on behalf of the local community and of course the Football Foundation and all the financial contributors that made this happen.”
Neill Mcwilliams, representing Beacon Hill Football Club and Woolmer Hill Sports Association said,
"The pitch is making a massive difference to the development of football in the community. With this all weather pitch, we are able to provide year-round training and match facilities and support the growth in youth football, especially local girls’ teams. The pitch has also been used to extend disability football within the area, as well as providing a facility for veteran football teams. Essentially, the 3G pitch is a facility for all, irrespective of gender, ability, or age.
“Since the summer, the community has really benefitted from the pitch with over 40 teams from 12 community clubs using it.
“This development represents another important step in the development of the Woolmer Hill site as a community sports park, that is already the home to major local rugby, hockey and athletics clubs”.
Waverley Borough Council delivered the project, working with contractors FieldTurf Tarkett and S&C Slatter.
The pitch is being managed on behalf of the local community by the Woolmer Hill Sports Association. To make a booking email bookings@whsa.uk
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Notes to Editors:
About the Football Foundation:
The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation is the largest sports charity in the UK. It champions and supports fair access to quality football facilities for everyone, regardless of gender, race, disability or place.
The Foundation receives money from the Premier League, The FA and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, through Sport England. This is matched with partnership funding and awarded as grants to create outstanding grassroots facilities that enable better games and attract more players, helping to transform communities.
Visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk for more information on the Foundation.
Beacon Hill Football Club:
Beacon Hill Football Club is a club at the heart of the local community. It has strong ties with local schools, local events, and local clubs and organisations.
Further information is available at www.beaconhillfootballclub.com or by contacting the club secretary at secretary@beaconhillfootballclub.com