A SPORTS centre is set to become a hub of footballing activity for grassroots teams across the town after its second state-of-the-art 3G pitch was opened.
The project - at the Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre in Cudworth - has benefited from a combined grant of £965,706 from the Premier League, the FA and government’s Football Foundation, as well as an additional £250,451 from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, plus investment from the venue’s operator, Barnsley Premier Leisure.
The Barnsley Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy (PPOSS) had identified that there was an insufficient supply to accommodate both current and future demand for 3G pitches in Barnsley, before the scheme was put forward.
The additional pitch - which also comes alongside changing facilities and a cafe - will help used by Elite FC; Pinfold Pumas; Staincross Rangers; Monk Bretton FC; Redfearns FC; Athersley Rec; Barugh Green; Brierley Cubs; Junior Tykes; Williams Bar; Barnsley Women; West End Terriers and the Barnsley Schools FA.
Facility manager Martin Prest said: “Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre is a much-loved community facility and we already have great links with clubs and schools.
“Now with these fantastic new facilities, we will be able to strengthen those links, further supporting pathways in sport from grassroots through to academies and beyond.
“Thanks to the Football Foundation grant, plus additional investment from Barnsley Council and BPL, we can offer even greater sporting opportunities for our local community to enjoy.”
The venue is named after former European and Commonwealth champion Dorothy Hyman, the Cudworth-born sprinter who also won a silver and two bronze medals at two Olympics in Rome, 1960 and Tokyo in 1964.
Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, added: “Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“We’re delighted that the community will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the new facilities at Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre.”
The new facilities were showcased at an event, which brought partners and invited guests together for a tour.
Attendees included Dorothy, leader of the council Sir Steve Houghton, the Mayor and Mayoress of Barnsley and representatives from the Football Foundation and Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA.
On the day, its studios hosted a themed aerobics through the decades class and 12-hour charity ‘bikeathon’ challenge, which raised more than £2,000 for Weston Park Cancer Charity.
Councillor James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “I am thrilled to see the opening of this fantastic new facility which will make a real difference to grassroots sport in Cudworth and across Barnsley.
“Our investment, alongside the Football Foundation grant, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality spaces that support the growth and sustainability of grassroots sport.
“The Football Foundation deliver outstanding grassroots sports
facilities, helping transform communities where the need is greatest and the impact will be strongest.”
