Meeting at Castle House, Newark sees sporting groups, the football association, football foundation and Newark and Sherwood District Council come together to hear of five new proposed 3G all weather pitches across Nottinghamshire

A series of new £1 million sports pitches are going to be installed across the area – with the hope that they can fill the role once served by youth centres and act as new community hubs.

A new vision for facilities was unveiled as part of a presentation to sports groups and organisations last week and, while work is under way to determine locations for the all-purpose pitches, Newark and Sherwood District Council is looking at locations in the Ollerton, Clipstone, Southwell and the greater Newark area and could consider school sites.

Andy Hardy, the community facilities and events manager for the council, said: “They will provide great experiences for all members of the community, provide an outlet for youth, develop sporting talent, increase mental health in the area and reduce anti-social behaviour.

“Sports clubs are the future youth centres and it is important to have a plan in place which focuses on the next 20 years.”

Leanne Woodward-Groves, from the Football Assocation (FA), added: “The purpose of these modern pitches is to bring communities together. It is very much is the goal of these projects to create community hubs.”

There 125 pitches across 62 sites across the area. An independent assessment rated 96 of those and found seven were good, 55 were ‘standard’ and 34 were poor.

Thursday night’s meeting at Castle House came off the back of a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (February 20), where councillors voted to approve two strategies to boost sport and recreation in the area.

The council has worked with organisations such as the Football Association, Football Foundation, Rugby Football Union and Sport England to identify new locations for pitches.

“In terms of specific sites for the proposed 3G pitches, these are not determined as of yet and will be subject to further discussions with local partners in due course,” said Mr Hardy.

“We are looking at options in the Ollerton, Clipstone, Southwell and the greater Newark localities currently.”

School sites are seen as attractive because many have existing infrastructure such as parking.

Each pitch would cost £1 million. Some funding has been secured by the council and more is available from national sporting bodies and private investors.

Ms Woodward-Groves said applicants could get cash from the FA, if they meet certain criteria.

“The money will not come without checks and balances,” said Ms Woodward-Groves.

“Clubs will need to have modern governance in place and the projects will have to be fit for purpose.

“Pathways will have to be in place for female, junior, veteran and disability teams.

“The focus cannot just be on clubs’ men’s first teams.

“We are trying to challenge clubs to look beyond that focal point.”

It’s hoped the pitches can be used for other sports as well as football.

Newark and Sherwood United chairman Steff Wright said the proposal was positive for the future of sport in the area.

He said: “It is important that clubs get on board so we can find the best solutions.

“To get these strategies signed off by the councillors was a great achievement.

“It shows how the different political factions of the council are coming together for the benefit of sports across the district and there are a lot of opportunities for clubs and people involved in sport here.”