‘Inspirational 3G community football hubs’ is Wrexham’s football vision

Meetings will take place this month between Wrexham Council and local football clubs to discuss the local vision for football and consider possible pilot schemes of ‘new models’ of management.

As we reported last year a strategic partnership was being developed between Wrexham Council and the Football Association of Wales (Trust), and a review took place earlier this year, with it noting: “The review revealed that whilst there remains a relatively strong base of local football clubs, many are facing a financial struggle and this is often compounded by them having regularly to move to find a suitable home pitch for matches. Most have long term ambitions, but lack a resilient, sustainable strategy to meet this vision.”

Updates have been given to Councillors this week on plans to progress with ‘new models for the management’ of football pitches and changing room facilities in Wrexham in partnership with Football Association of Wales.

The vision for Wrexham is defined as:

“Inspirational 3G (artificial turf) community football hubs at education sites in key locations/communities alongside better grass pitches – a priority to deliver growth ambitions and thriving club and women and girls hubs.”

and…

“Local football management models (with Local Authority & Football Association Wales support) – enabling more club participation/ involvement, management and maintenance of pitches and pavilions/ changing rooms (the future clubhouse), reducing the ‘nomadic’ nature and small size of many clubs – allowing them to develop a home ground delivering further growth and club sustainability. Continuing to encourage widespread use of grass pitches for community use.”

Although there is nothing tangible as yet in the update, with visions and strategy being discussed an no nitty gritty of what the ‘models’ will entail, there appears to be practical progress on engaging with local clubs to get feedback on the above ‘vision’.

The update report ends: “The next step in the process is to meet with the Wrexham Football Clubs and discuss the proposed vision for local football and consider possible pilot areas to trial new ways of working to develop the new football models. This meeting is proposed to take place in October 2018. ”