Chelmsford City Council and the William de Ferrers School have been successful in a bid to the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund for a full refurbishment of their existing sand-based artificial pitch to form a brand new, floodlit third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch (AGP) at the South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre.

The total cost of the pitch refurbishment, which includes new fencing, equipment and floodlighting, reaches £534,591, with the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund providing £330,591 in addition to contributions from Chelmsford City Council and William de Ferrers School.

The Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund grant will allow the joint-use partners to replace the ageing sand-filled Astro Turf pitch with a full-size 3G AGP for use by the School, nearby primary schools, local grassroots clubs, organisations and the wider community. Works are scheduled to take place this summer ahead of the new academic year and 2015-16 football season.

The Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund is funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government, via Sport England. It is delivered by the Football Foundation, the largest sports charity in the UK.

Since it was launched in 2000, the Football Foundation has awarded more than 13,000 grants worth more than £513m towards improving grassroots sports facilities. The Foundation has been able to use this funding to attract additional partnership funding of more than £730m, which means that the Football Foundation has been responsible for an overall investment of more than £1.2bn into the grassroots game.

By providing more high-quality facilities, coupled with coaching at the appropriate age group, the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund aims to improve the experience for those who already play grassroots football regularly, and attract new players to the game.

Emphasis is placed on using these state-of-the-art facilities to strengthen the connection between professional football clubs and their local communities, particularly in the most deprived areas of the country, where the need is greatest, through the outstanding work being carried out by professional club’s community outreach work.

Chelmsford City Council’s Cabinet Member for Parks & Leisure, Councillor Ray Ride, said: “The City Council has listened to the high level of local support and demand for guaranteed training and match venues and with support from Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund and the William de Ferrers School, we are providing high quality community facilities which will enhance opportunities for local people and school children to improve their health, develop their skills and enjoy sport.”

Neal McGowan, Headteacher, William de Ferrers School, remarked: “The 3G pitch will be a real asset for both the School and our local community, providing an excellent surface for our pupils to develop their skills in a high-quality and safe environment.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Congratulations should go to Chelmsford City Council and William de Ferrers School for working with the Essex FA to secure this Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund grant.

“The Football Foundation is responsible for managing and delivering the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, which is funded by the Premier League, The FA and the Government, via Sport England. When finished, this 3G pitch will be an example of the positive impact that this funding is having on our grassroots game. First-class facilities like this are crucial to creating more opportunities for local people to enjoy regular sport.

“Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded 178 grants worth £13.6m across Essex towards grassroots sports projects worth nearly £26m with money generously provided by our funders: the Premier League, The FA and the Government, via Sport England.”