Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe has asked portfolio holders to meet with him and representatives from Central Wales within the next month to develop a 5-year plan and vision for 3G sports pitches across the county.

Cllr Ratcliffe’s letter to portfolio holders read:

Dear Leader and officers,

Following a question to Full Council from Gareth Hopkins, who surveyed all Local Authorities in Wales in 2024 regarding pitch provision, it was found that only Flintshire responded adequately. The focus was on 3G pitch availability, which is crucial for football in all weather conditions. Powys currently has no full-size 3G pitches (compared to 61 elsewhere in Wales), and the two smaller 3G pitches have limited weekend hours, making bookings difficult. Hopkins questioned why Powys County Council has failed grassroots footballers, particularly children facing frequent cancellations, and what plans are in place to improve the situation.

Response:

Powys County Council outlined several initiatives:

  • The Football Association of Wales mapped all pitches in Powys and across Wales in May 2024 to propose future strategies.
  • Powys collaborates with Sport Wales, FAW, Welsh Hockey, and WRU to strategically place pitches that accommodate multiple sports.
  • The limited number of 3G pitches in Powys is primarily due to historical funding constraints dating back to 2004/2005.
  • Ongoing efforts involve working with clubs, schools, and governing bodies to enhance youth sports opportunities.
  • The council is contributing to a Welsh Government and Sport Wales facilities mapping exercise to identify future funding needs.
  • Despite challenges, clubs can use existing pitches, including 2G surfaces, with flexible booking options, though these have limitations in size and availability.

As a keen sportsperson, I have played football in Mid Wales for over 30 years For my home town of Hay with Hay St Marys to Abermule FC in the Newtown Siunday league. Recently, I transitioned from playing to refereeing across Central Wales to give back to the football that supported me over the years. Now, each week, I visit pitches across the county, and one thing is clear—the lack of investment in facilities is a major issue.

For most clubs, weather plays a crucial role in their development, as many pitches are unusable for some parts of the winter, limiting them to just one game per week due to wet conditions. This affects not only senior football but also the ability to establish youth sections. There is no Sunday football in Mid Wales now, leading many players to leave the county to access better facilities. Veterans’ football teams, such as Hay, are forced to play in the Herefordshire League on 3G pitches during the summer. Similarly, girls’ football development is severely impacted, with teams struggling to find pitches and some having to travel over 80 miles for games.

3G pitches offer more than just football—they support rugby, hockey, and other sports for all ages. They provide significant health benefits, reducing pressure on the healthcare system and allowing people of all ages to remain involved in sport. The current lack of facilities results in many leaving community sports after their playing days are over due to limited opportunities as well as putting young people off staying or coming to the area. We are losing talent out of county due to the lack of facilities.

I have had meetings with the CWFA representative, and it is clear there are some exciting opportunities for PCC to work with The FA, local communities to deliver 3G pitches across the county.

Powys is falling behind. Will the officers and portfolio meet with me and representatives from Central Wales within the next month to develop a 5-year plan and vision for 3G pitches across the county, ensuring the future of sport in Powys and supporting the next generation?