A new £625,000 community sports pitch was opened at Loughside Recreation Centre in north Belfast today.
Comprising a high-quality artificial pitch, perimeter fencing and floodlighting, the facility was funded by the Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund and Crusaders FC.
The investment is part of the wider Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, which is investing £123 million in 2024/25 to support facilities across the whole of the UK.
The programme provides funding to make essential facility improvements so that communities have high-quality pitches to play on, building on investment from previous years.
Irish FA Deputy President, Neil Jardine, said: “This excellent new facility in north Belfast is part of a wider initiative as the Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund includes 17 new artificial grass pitch projects across Northern Ireland.
“Its main objectives are to improve the infrastructure of grassroots football clubs, increase participation in sport and physical activity, and to enhance mental and physical health.
“The Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to providing people here and right across the UK with opportunities to get active.”
Crusaders treasurer Tommy Whiteside, who was project manager for the facility build, said the pitch, built on a barren site which had fallen into disuse for close on 40 years, will be a boon for grassroots sports in lower north Belfast.
He explained: “Crusaders and the local community, through Loughview Community Action Project (LCAP), are delighted to resurrect the site, which we expect will be a popular facility. For Crusaders, the pitch will accommodate our girls’ academy and our disability football initiative as well as our 16-18 apprenticeship and 14-16 apprenticeship
The Irish Football Association (Irish FA)/Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund 2023-25 is supporting grassroots football clubs, local authorities, schools and football-focused sports community/charitable organisations in Northern Ireland.