3G pitch plan
People living in Dover are set to benefit from fresh investment into local grassroots sports facilities thanks to a £942,281 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
Planning permission for the creation of an all-weather 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with floodlighting and an access footpath has been given and will be located within the grounds of Dover Christ Church Academy (DCCA). The refurbishment of two netball courts with floodlighting at the school was also given the go-ahead.
The £1.2m project is being jointly funded by the Football Foundation, Dover District Council, Turner Schools and local clubs including Dover Rangers, Whitfield Juniors FC and Dover Athletic Youth FC.
The facilities will be used by DCCA students during the day and made available for use by local community teams during evenings, weekends and holidays.
Cllr Charlotte Zosseder, DDC Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property, said: “We are delighted that this planning permission for an all-weather 3G artificial grass pitch has been approved.
“It has been proven how important regular team sports is for the mental health of our young people, and these floodlit facilities will ensure that they can play their favourite sports throughout the winter months too. We are pleased that £178,000 of Section 106 money from the district’s housing developers - to fund infrastructure, affordable housing, or community services - can be put towards this project to benefit our local community.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“This grant award for developing a 3G artificial grass pitch with floodlighting at Dover Christ Church Academy is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”
Seamus Murphy, Turner Schools CEO, said: "At Turner Schools (a local Multi Academy Trust), we are dedicated to providing our students with a rich and varied school experience. Access to first-class sporting facilities is central to that vision, as demonstrated recently with the new skate park at our Folkestone Academy. This latest investment in Dover Christ Church Academy will be transformational for both the school and the local community, broadening access to sport and enriching lives. It’s a fantastic example of what can be achieved for schools through effective partnerships and shared ambitions."
Manj Nijjer, Principal at Dover Christ Church Academy, said: "This is fantastic news for both our students and the wider community. At Dover Christ Church Academy, we understand how vital sport is for building teamwork, resilience, and wellbeing. These state-of-the-art facilities will enable even more of our students, including our newly formed girls’ football team, to enjoy the benefits of sport all year round. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone involved in making this project a reality, and we can’t wait to see our students thriving on the pitch!”
The building work is scheduled to commence in spring 2025.
For more information on the Football Foundation, visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk
Posted on 06 February 2025