We work closely with facility providers and clubs in Hampshire to enable access to Football Foundation grants to create all-weather facilities which serve our community and grow the grassroots game in our county.

By collaborating with local councils, we are able to identify pitches which require attention due to poor upkeep, drainage issues and other factors which otherwise render it unplayable for large parts of the footballing season.

 

What is the long-term impact of investing in an artificial 3G surface?
The ability to train and play on an all-weather 3G surface impacts the grassroots community right down to youth player development.

 

“The effect on girls’ football has been extraordinary.”

- Chairman, Whitchurch United FC.

The peace-of-mind of knowing that training sessions can go ahead no matter the weather creates a better experience for players, parents and carers. This also facilitates a safer environment for young footballers who can develop their abilities on an even surface without the fear of rough terrain, which can often come as a byproduct of poor weather on poorly maintained grass pitches.

 

Grassroots clubs are also able to harness the opportunities an all-weather artificial surface opens to grow the female pathway and enable growth over several years.
Hythe & Dibden FC were able to increase their female pathway by 5000% in the space of 8 years due to the availability of a new 3G facility for their training use, growing their total of youth girls at the club to 160.

“For a lot of our girls their time at the club is their only time in football, and I think if we were calling off training session left, right and centre we would have far less than the nearly 200 who we have today.”
- Girls Football Development Officer, Hythe & Dibden FC

Watch the full case study

 


How to find out more
To find out more about 3G facilities, please contact our Facilities & Investment team at Facilities@HampshireFA.com