Cymru Women’s Head Coach Gemma Grainger took time out of her busy schedule to visit the new development at Underhill Park in Mumbles boosted by funding from the Cymru Football Foundation.
Meeting coaches and players from Mumbles Rangers’ Women and Girls setup, Gemma heard more about the positive impact that the new development will have on participation levels in the area whilst observing the U11 and U13s before giving out tickets and signing autographs.
In partnership with UK Government – the CFF have helped a local charity, Mumbles Community Association, to create a brand-new full size dual pitch all-weather 3G. A grant of £190,000 alongside partnership funding from Mumbles Community Council, Swansea Council and Sport Wales totalling £1.1m to complete the development of the Go Underhill Hub.
The existing grass pitches at Underhill Park are in huge demand and subject to regular flooding, which has a big impact on cancellation of training and matches. Underhill Park is shared by multiple clubs and the cost of regular pitch upkeep coupled with regular flooding in the winter months has resulted in a huge increase in running costs.
“It’s brilliant to see the number of girls playing down here. The community and growth of girls football in Wales has a whole has improved so much and to see the facilities that Mumbles Rangers have access to is a massive reason behind that.
“These facilities are vital – girls in particular will want to come down into an environment that they feel safe, clean and the pitch looks fantastic. It creates an atmosphere and that’s why it’s so important that we try and replicate this environment as much as we can across Wales.”
Gemma Grainger, Cymru Women’s Head Coach
“The new all-weather pitch is a game changer for local sport, and we are thrilled to see the long-term plans for providing top notch facilities for the local community finally come to fruition. It is going to be exciting to see the impact this will have, both for the teams already using the park and for the new teams and players who will be attracted to participate in sport at Underhill.
“We are enormously grateful to the Cymru Football Foundation for supporting us with their grant, which completed the funding jigsaw and has enabled the development to happen. There is still more to be done, but it’s brilliant to have the facility ready for the winter season.”
David Wilson, Trustee and Vice Chair of Mumbles Community Association
The CFF supports the development of football through investment and guidance as it delivers the FAW’s commitment to develop inspirational fit-for-future football facilities that will improve and grow Welsh football both on and off the pitch.
The next round of Fit-for-Future Facilities funding will be available to access now – you can find out more by clicking here.
