Council marks upcoming community sport facility
By Karen Miller
FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL have announced their pride that AFC Portchester are preparing to officially open its new all-weather 3G pitch at Wicor Recreation Ground to the public later this month; which follows months of work at the venue and the facility is set to become a huge part of community sport locally.
As one of Hampshire’s largest community-focused football clubs AFC Portchester supports thirty-eight teams across youth, senior, women, and disability football. The club plays a central role in the local community as it uses football to encourage participation, inclusion, health, and wellbeing among people of all ages and abilities.
The new 3G pitch can be used in all seasons and weather conditions, providing a reliable all-year-round facility. It will support the Club’s ambitions to expand disability football, walking football for over-50s, women’s and girls’ football, and other inclusive participation programmes. Through a Community Use Agreement a number of local schools, sports clubs, and community groups are expected to benefit from more than twenty hours of community access each week.
The £1.1 million project has been delivered through a collaborative funding package involving the Club and football funding bodies. In addition, Fareham Borough Council has supported the project with a £105,000 grant, funded through Section 106 developer contributions designated for outdoor sports provision.
The club will be holding an open evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on October 22 (Thursday), where local residents and current users of the facilities, together with their families, will have an opportunity to tour the site and see the new pitch first-hand and learn more about the benefits the facility will bring to the local community for years to come.
Councillor Frair Burgess, Executive Member for Leisure & Community at Fareham Borough Council, said: “The new 3G pitch at Wicor Recreation Ground represents a major investment in community sport. AFC Portchester plays an important role in promoting health, wellbeing and inclusion within the local community, and this new pitch will help the Club continue to grow and reach even more residents. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have in the years ahead.”
Chairman of AFC Portchester, Paul Kelly, added: “This investment is about far more than football. It is about creating a welcoming community hub that promotes health, inclusion, and participation. We are incredibly grateful to all of the partners and funders who have helped make this ambitious project a reality.”
The first competitive fixture on the new surface will take place at 3pm on October 24 (Saturday) when AFC Portchester welcome their league rivals Bedfont Sports Football Club to Wicor Recreation Ground. Readers can purchase their matchday tickets by visiting the link of https://afcportchester.co.uk/fixtures/first-team/.
PICTURED BY PIXABAY: AFC Portchester will be opening their new all-weather 3G pitch at Wicor Recreation Ground to the public later this month; including an open evening before their first official match is played.
