Written question WQ82682
- Asked by
- Mabon ap GwynforPlaid
- To be answered by
- Minister for Economy
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What plans does the Welsh Government have to ensure that Wales's more rural communities receive support to develop 3G pitches for sports?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip
As set out in the Programme for Government we are committed to promoting equal access to sports and investing in new facilities, including 3G and artificial turf (ATP) pitches.
Under the previous Government, a collaborative Sport Facilities Group was created, including Sport Wales, the Football Association of Wales Trust, Hockey Wales and the Welsh Rugby Union. They established a nationally agreed vision, model and guidance for developing clubs and increasing participation through appropriately located and fit for purpose artificial playing surfaces, including in rural communities. This informed an approach to the selection and funding of exemplar projects in priority areas.
Different sports and communities have different needs, requiring fit for purpose solutions. As of September 2020, there were 84 full-size 3G pitches and 77 full-size hockey ATPs in Wales, and 116 artificial pitches that are not full-size. Of these, 9 3Gs and 2 ATPs pitches were funded through the Welsh Government’s investment in Sport Wales’ A Place for Sport programme. A further 6 artificial pitch projects (5 3Gs and 1 ATP) will be completed this year.