Sports Minister and Wales Football Manager visit Rhondda social enterprise to launch state of the art football facility

A Rhondda social enterprise has launched a new third generation FIFA graded football pitch at its ground in Clydach Vale today (4.30pm Friday 31st January).

The pitch was officially launched by Welsh Government Minister for Sports and Culture John Griffiths AM and Councillor Robert Bevan of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council in a ceremony attended by the Assembly Member for Rhondda, Leighton Andrews.

The one-star graded all weather pitch and Futsal Facility was laid last year by Cambrian Village Trust with support from the Welsh Government Community Facilities and Activities Programme, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Sports Wales.

Wales Manager Chris Coleman also attended the event and took the opportunity to present Cambrian Boys and Girl’s Club with its Football Association of Wales Trust Gold Accreditation Status.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council have supported the development of the 3G (third generation) pitch in Clydach Vale and the Wales Co-operative Centre has supported the business planning process.

The pitch is the first of its type in Rhondda Cynon Taf and it will allow the social enterprise to develop its academy and schools sports programmes as well as develop a sustainable rental income through club and community hire. The pitch will be available for football, mini-football, mini-rugby and disability sports. It includes a secondary Futsal pitch which will allow budding players the opportunity to develop their technical skills in a game made famous by successful South American football teams such as Brazil.

Philip Williams is a Director at Cambrian Village Trust,

“Developing the 3G pitch on the King George V New field site opens up a host of opportunities for community participation in sport, for sustainable development and management of valued community resources and it will help sustain several existing jobs. As the use of the facility increases we hope to be able to increase the number of jobs created as a direct result of the development. The pitch is an amazing facility for sports people and will allow us to build on our schools and community sports programmes and further develop our elite players”.

Minister for Culture & Sport, John Griffiths, said:

“This is a fantastic development that will provide the local community with a great facility.”

“Encouraging more children and young people into sport is vital if we are to improve the health of our nation and I’m delighted that this new multi-sport surface will provide an opportunity for the local community to get active.”

Sport Wales has invested its maximum Calls for Action grant of £150,000. The National Lottery grant scheme is designed to increase the opportunity for those facing barriers to participation and contribute to getting all children hooked on sport.

Tom Overton, Sport Wales Regional Manager said:

“We have invested £150,000 and that gives an indication of our commitment to the work being done here. This is a really exciting project for Sport Wales as Clydach Vale will become a community sports hub and we are keen to see how the project develops as a model for local sport.

“Thousands of young people and adults will benefit as the 3G surface will create a centre for football development and substantial new playing opportunities in the area. The quality of the new surface will also aid skill development in football and rugby, particularly at a young age. It means that people playing sport will play more regularly on a better quality facility. In particular there will be huge benefits for women and girls football, with a development centre being set up.”

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr. Robert Bevan said,

“The development of the new 3G pitch will become an important element of life within Clydach Vale and the whole of Rhondda Cynon Taf. As a result of the vision of Cambrian Village Trust, the development will offer access to a number of different sports and enhance the opportunities to develop elite players in the area.”

The Wales Co-operative Centre supported the Trust by providing help with business planning as well as specialist employment and tax advice. This support was funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Government.

Derek Walker is Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre,

“Cambrian Village Trust must be congratulated for their vision and commitment in bringing such a top class facility to Clydach Vale. They have good plans for sustainable management of the facilities and for working with other partners to deliver health and community benefits. This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a social enterprise thinks big”.

For more information about Cambrian Village Trust and Cambrian Lakeside Sports Academy please visit www.cambrianfc.co.uk, or call 01443 440510.