Powys slammed for lack of 3G football pitches

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Claims have been made that Powys County Council is failing grassroots footballers by allowing a 3G artificial pitch desert to be created in Mid Wales.

Resident Gareth Hopkins put the authority on the spot during public questions at the start of the latest Liberal Democrat/Labour Cabinet meeting after his research revealed a shocking shortage of facilities in the county compared to the rest of Wales.

Last year, Mr Hopkins asked all 22 local authorities in Wales about their “pitch provision”, especially 3G which is the high-quality artificial football pitch that supports all conditions that meet football requirements. All councils except for Flintshire answered his question.

And here is Mr Hopkins’s shocking outcome:

Throughout Wales there are 61 full size 3G pitches – but none in Powys. As expected, Cardiff has the most full-size 3G pitch provision, but other rural authorities Gwynedd and Denbighshire do better than Powys with four each.

He pointed out that Powys only has “just” two smaller 3G pitches.

This is half that of Gwynedd which has four and also that of island authority of Ynys Môn.

Mr Hopkins also wondered what has happened to the 3G pitch for Llanfair Caereinion, which was announced three years ago, but seems to have been on pause ever since.

Mr Hopkins asked: “Why has this council failed grassroots footballers, in particular the thousands of girls and boys who have their training sessions and matches cancelled every week with very few alternatives in Powys, and what does it plan to do about the situation going forward?”

In reply, the cabinet member for leisure, Liberal Democrat, Cllr Richard Church, has provided a detailed explanation which includes a map showing where all 16 2G and 3G pitches are in the county - including those not council-owned.

Cllr Church said: “Powys have worked closely for many years with the Collaboration Group that is made up of Sport Wales, FAW (Football Association Wales), Welsh Hockey and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to discuss how and where the various types of pitches could be located throughout Powys to maximise usage.”

He said that Newtown Football Club has a full size 3G pitch and there are three, ¾-length council-owned 3G pitches in Powys at Llanidloes and Llanfyllin next to the high school/sports centre, and one at Crickhowell next to the high school.

Cllr Church added that there are proposals to add an artificial pitch to the new all-through school build at Machynlleth’s Ysgol Bro Hyddgen.

Cllr Church said: “A new three-quarter size pitch including feasibility studies, groundworks, drainage, a full tender and installation of a new carpet (possibly shock pad), fencing and floodlights will typically cost around £1.2million.

“There are ongoing maintenance costs associated with operating an outdoor sports pitch of £25,000 a year.”

He explained that the council’s sports development team works throughout Powys with clubs, schools and national governing bodies to co-ordinate and help provide a range and variety of opportunities for young people, for the whole age spectrum from grass-roots sport, through talent pathways to elite levels.

Cllr Church added: “We monitor and where possible improve opportunities, through collaborative working and regular monitoring/review of activities and in response to the school sport survey initiative undertaken every three years by Sport Wales.

“The council consistently explore funding opportunities to support redevelopment and replacement of pitches where possible.”

He also points out that sports clubs and organisations can bid for funding and develop their own facilities if they so wish.

In response to the answer, Mr Hopkins will be allowed to ask an extra question at the meeting.