Supporting the return of grassroots sport

Grounds maintenance and leisure, recreation and participation staff are working proactively to accommodate some 440 senior and junior football matches up until Sunday June 6th.

This means ensuring the availability of pitches in a range of locations across the town, including Grayfields Recreation Ground, Rift House Rec, King George V Playing Fields, and Brierton Sports Centre

This will enable the 2020/21 season to be successfully completed following its suspension due to the pandemic.

“Such a busy schedule does, inevitably, have an impact on the condition of the pitches and they require regular maintenance to ensure matches can continue to take place, especially given the recent rainfall. The grounds maintenance staff do an excellent job and I’d like to thank them, on behalf of local teams and leagues for their efforts,” said Ian Gardiner, the Council’s Head of Leisure, Recreation and Participation.

Grounds maintenance and leisure, recreation and participation staff at Rift House Rec

He also praised staff from the Council’s Leisure, Recreation and Participation Team who are co-ordinating pitch bookings and helping to manage facilities on match days, both during the week and at weekends.

Mr Gardiner added: “This is a real team effort and reflects our commitment to supporting people to be active, with all of the benefits that this has for their physical and mental wellbeing.”

Teams are being asked to support the efforts of Council staff by ensuring that no litter is left behind on pitches after matches. Players and spectators are also being asked to respect local residents by parking considerately when attending the pitches.

Following completion of the current season, there will be a ten-week close season from June 7th for maintenance of pitches in readiness for the 2021/22 season.