On Monday evening I turned up to Pencoetre Park in Gibbonsdown to support Doorstep Barry’s free multi-sport session for local youngsters. Unfortunately, it couldn’t go ahead due to this week’s irritating summer downpours.
Although it is unusual for a sport session to be called off in August due to heavy downpours, it is a constant problem during the wetter months when the football and rugby leagues are in full-swing. Weather stopping play and training is an all too common conversation I have with parents as part of my constituency work.
Having consistently called for an expansion in the number of all-weather, third and fourth generation (3G and 4G) sports pitches in the Vale to combat this problem, I am delighted at news this month that six new 3G training pitches are to be built at the Colcot Sport Centre. The Vale Council deserve praise for taking this issue seriously and listening to those involved in local sport.
I arranged a large public meeting last year so that coaches, parents and players could put their views across on the need for more all-weather playing surfaces and I am very glad that their message has got through to the local authority. Cllr Gwyn John deserves particular credit for his actions in taking this forward.
Community sport is a real passion of mine and I am keen to get more young people involved. It teaches children discipline, the benefits of teamwork and puts youthful energy to good use.
The Gem has reported my interest in this area for a number of years about whether the facilities available match the ambition of young players.
Barry, as Wales’ largest town, has a role to play in contributing the stars for the future of our now top-tier footballing nation. The new facilities increase the chances of Barry’s own Joe Allen’s and Aaron Ramsey’s emerging from our squads of determined youngsters.
The ethos of local clubs throughout the Vale, led by volunteers who work hard behind the scenes and on the pitch, is a positive force in the lives of many. These clubs bind our communities together and must be enabled to continue their good work.
Despite the positive impact of the new pitches for all-weather training, weather problems remain which threaten the future of local football clubs. Cancelled fixtures on full-sized grass weekend after weekend are hugely disruptive to the management of teams and can lead to some players losing interest. Over the coming months I will be calling for a review of the maintenance and cancellation policy at local playing fields and exploring options to push for further all-weather facilities.