This winter we are working in London on the boroughs Local Football Facility Plans
In November 2017, the Football Association commissioned KKP to deliver 330 local football facility plans (LFFPs) in support of the FA National Football Facilities Strategy.
LFFPs involve engagement, consultation and report production that will be delivered between now and mid-2020 – over four tranches of local authorities.
KKP is currently working extensively in London, developing Local Football Facility Plans for 14 London Boroughs over the period to March 2019. LFFPs present a fantastic opportunity to identify future investment requirements into grass roots football to grow and sustain the game whilst delivering on wider social outcomes. KKP’s work in the London area is particularly vital as the capital has an identified shortfall of third generation (3G) pitches and high levels of affiliated and recreational football demand.
London’s small sided 3G pitches, recreational park space and Multi Use Games Areas are acknowledged to be key to nurturing a pipeline of footballing talent, highlighted in this recent Guardian article.
KKP’s challenge, working with local football partners is to identify innovative opportunities to deliver new or improved football facilities in inner city, urban areas. Pitches in confined urban spaces, rooftop pitches and disused underground areas can all offer alternative spaces to get people playing football. We will also aim to capitalise on linked funding opportunities such as the Laureus Sport Foundation’s Model City programme, using sport to encourage social integration in three London Boroughs of Haringey, Barking and Hounslow.
Furthermore, ensuring that the limited number of well used grass pitch sites in London are maintained to a high quality is critical for the affiliated game. On this theme our consultants have already met with strategic partners such as The Royal Parks Authority. Following a Sport England grant award, trials are currently being held at Regents Park to test hybrid grass pitch technology. Early results are very positive with increased capacity on this new facility which is a big benefit at one of central London’s key sites for the affiliated game.
Our work in London will continue until March 2019, to deliver 14 ground breaking Local Football Facility Plans . We are looking forward to discovering and suggesting new and innovative ways of improving football facilities in the capital. Read more about the LFFPs here.
Postscript
In November 2017, the Football Association commissioned KKP to deliver 330 local football facility plans (LFFPs) in support of the FA National Football Facilities Strategy. As a sport and leisure consultancy with a proven track record in working in playing pitch strategies, this work fits naturally into our portfolio.
LFFPs involve engagement, consultation and report production that will be delivered between now and mid-2020 – over four tranches of local authorities.
The LFFPs will set out a ten-year vision for football facilities in each local authority. They will identify projects to deliver (and partners with which to work) and form an investment portfolio for the majority of local schemes that require funding; 90% of all community football investment will be driven by LFFP content.
Importantly, the FA is broadening its focus so these plans include commitments not only to the affiliated game but also to investing in social, recreational and other forms of football delivery in a range of settings and with a variety of partners.
If you would like to speak with the team about our work with the FA and LFFPs, please email andrew.fawkes@kkp.co.uk
Read more about what KKP does here.