Girls’ football is on the rise in borough

THE growth _ of ‘women’ and girls’ football in Rossendale, from large clubs to small community teams, and other sport and leisure trends, were highlighted to councillors in a new report about local pitches and public demand.

- BY ROBBIE MACDONALD

Competitive football, rugby and cricket clubs, small recreational teams, sports funding bids and future planning decisions by Rossendale Council should all benefit from an updated playing pitch strategy, councillors have been advised.

Rossendale — Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed the details at their latest meeting and backed various recommendations.

Council sport and physical activity officer Natalie Atkinson, who has had past roles at Oldham Athletic, Southport FC, Curzon Ashton FC and the Football Association, outlined the main points and said Rossendale Council is required to demonstrate to Sport England there is a need for a new 3-G pitch in the borough.

A previous sports pitch strategy was done in 2000.

Bowls, tennis and running tracks are not part of the updated report but have been part of other council projects.

Regarding Rossendale football, in 2020 there were 107 teams playing locally. Now, there are 156, representing growth of 46 per cent.

Five local pitches are assessed as good quality, 30 as standard and 22 as poor, according to the report.

For grass football pitches, there are current shortages of adult, youth 11-a-side and youth nine-a-side matches.

But there is spare capacity on mini-pitches.