Playing Pitches Survey

Overview

What are we doing?

We are currently reviewing all outdoor playing pitches and facilities across the borough to help us develop a 5–10 year ‘Rochdale Borough Playing Pitch Strategy’.

It will include all Link4Life, council, school, club and community sports grounds that accommodate the following sports:

• Cricket
• Football
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Rounders
• Rugby Football League
• Rugby Football Union

The review will take into consideration grass and artificial grass pitches, outdoor multi-use games areas, changing facilities, lighting, access and parking. We are talking to all sports pitch providers, schools and leisure centres.

We are also consulting with all sporting teams and clubs (including local get together and pub teams) to gather information for the strategy.

Why are we doing this?

Sport England and sports National Governing Bodies require this strategy from all councils across England.

This review and strategy will help us identify the sports/ areas in our borough that are most in need and have the greatest demand by understanding:

Where different sports are played and where people travel to and from to play.

• Where different sports are played and where people travel to and from to play.
• How well used the pitches/facilities are and how well they serve their communities. 
• If the pitches/facilities are in the right location and functioning to their best potential.
• If these facilities offer other local advantages to the local communities, environment and local economy.
• The popularity of different sports and their availability to different age groups, genders, mixed abilities and ethnicities etc.
• The development and future growth of each sport.
• The reasons behind any declines in popularity of a sport and whether this can change.

This information will allow us to ensure any future funding is spent in the right way, should any become available.

How can I get involved?

All sports played on outdoor playing pitches, grass and artificial, will have an equal influence on this strategy.  It is very important, therefore, that we hear the views from all teams, clubs and leagues who play in the borough.

Club and league secretaries should download their relevant sport questionnaire, complete and return via email to estatesandassetmanagement@rochdale.gov.uk

Football

Rugby Union

Cricket

Hockey/Lacrosse

Rounders

Rugby League

Please note: we have consulted most clubs for the summer sports cricket, hockey, lacrosse, rounders and rugby league but in case if you have not heard from us please complete the relevant questionnaire and return.

We also want to hear from anyone playing on outdoor pitches who may not be in a formal club or team, such as college, work or pub team games and those who just meet up for a recreational game. We’d like to know if there is somewhere regularly used for pitch sports games including by children. To make sure your pitch is included download the recreation questionnaire, complete and return.

Recreation