Project:
New artificial grass pitch (South West)
Grant amount
£192,248
project summary
In twelve months since the new AGP was opened, club membership has increased from 250 to 341 and income from hire to users outside the club has almost doubled from £7,679 to £13,478.
Primary Schools tournaments take place each half term with up to 150 youngsters attending each event. Two schools use it for after school clubs. A local college also use the facility with a group that have been permanently excluded from mainstream education.
The Round Table also run a tournament for adults with money raised going to local charities. Bideford Ladies have also run a Summer Tournament. We have been able to extend coaching for those with disabilities and have two teams entered in the Devon Ability Counts tournaments.
As a club we have also been able to increase the number of teams we have from 19 to 22. The local league uses the facility for ‘turn up and play taster sessions’ to encourage newcomers into football. We hope to sustain these benefits over the longer term.
Name: Peter Evans
Position: Club Secertary - Bideford Blues and Appledore Junior FC
“The Club continues to be run entirely by unpaid volunteers and every one of these, however large or small their contribution, should be recognised for their input towards such an excellent facility. Although Bob Lovelace is no longer with the Club he is thanked as his drive and determination contributed so much in moving from the idea of a new AGP to its realisation!”
Name: Josh Reynolds
Postion: Bideford Blues and Appledore Junior FC player - 11 years old
"The new astro is great! And my Mum is pleased that I don’t come home covered in
black stuff like I did with the old astro!."
