From the next generation following in the footsteps of Ella Toone, to those enjoying a casual kickabout with mates, thousands have been enjoying the state-of-the-art football hubs in Wigan Borough.
The sites at Laithwaite Park, Wigan, and William Foster, Ince, have become new homes for community clubs and organisations with thousands taking advantage of the first-class facilities.
Opened in 2023 and operated by charitable trust Leisure United, the two hubs have provided matchday and training slots for 167 teams from 20 affiliated clubs, with 3,602 affiliated matches taking place last season.
Wigan Council invested more than £5m, alongside a £7.6m grant from the Football Foundation, to bring the projects forward.
The hubs’ community facilities have also seen local organisations such as mental health and disability groups base their sessions from the site.
Councillor Nazia Rehman, cabinet portfolio holder for finance, resources and transformation, said: “A lot of hard work was put in behind the scenes to make this project a reality, so it’s great to see the participation levels at both of these state-of-the-art facilities.
“I’m particularly proud to see the increased usage from women and girls teams, and that people of all ages and backgrounds have taken the opportunity to play here.”
Across the country, increasing participation levels of women and girls has been one of the major aims of the Football Foundation, with the two Wigan hubs complementing the charity’s ‘HERe to Play’ campaign to create safe, welcoming and accessible facilities at grassroots venues.
With double Euros winner Ella Toone assisting with this aim by unveiling the ‘Ella Toone Pitch’ at William Fosters in 2023, the two Wigan hubs currently have an average of 16 percent women and girls slots at peak times in 2025, with further bookings made for next year.
In addition to the increased participation of women and girls, and the regular usage of affiliated clubs, William Fosters and Laithwaite Park have also developed into inclusive facilities that welcome a wide variety of community groups throughout the week.
This includes the ‘Thrive’ disability sports provision group, the ‘Girls Club’ women’s mental health group, ‘Rebuild with Hope’ for functional fitness and nutritional advice, as well as Sudanese and South Asian community groups.
‘Recovery Football’ teams also regularly utilise the facilities, using sport as a means to help with mental health issues and offer peer to peer support, with this network also participating in nationwide tournaments.
There has also been a wider community offer at the sites, with community clinics and breast screenings at William Fosters, supporting residents with blood pressure and weight checks, flu vaccinations, and other NHS services.
Councillor Rehman added: “The inclusive, varied use of these facilities has been extremely heartening and highlights the significance of community venues that can be utilised for a range of reasons.
“With extra community services adding to the high levels of participation throughout the week, I’m sure that these facilities will be used for generations to come.”
The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and Government’s charity, delivering outstanding grassroots facilities.
