The Grassroots Project

The Grassroots Project

 

The Kewford Eagles Grass Roots Project webpage is intended to give people from both inside and outside the football club a clear idea of what Kewford Eagles FC is trying to do for the future of football in our local community.
 
Overview
 
As a club ‘vision’ or mission, the idea to try to acquire and develop, as a Grass Roots club, our own premises and dedicated pitches started as far back as 2000. At that time, initial committee discussions started to broach the idea of creating something which would be sustainable, and which could ensure that football could be provided for local people to enjoy the type of facilities which were evident in other countries. This lack of quality facilities, at this level of the game, across the UK, has been a part of the FA Development Strategy for some time, and so, in aspiring to achieve the same, the club committee saw itself as fitting in with that official FA strategy.
 
To achieve this vision would be a significant undertaking for any club, let alone a typical Grass Roots club with no tangible assets it could put forward as ‘collateral’. One major task alone would be to try to acquire a suitable local plot of land, and this in itself would not be a simple, quick activity. There would need to be significant long-term liaison with a number of different bodies associated with the authorisation of such a venture. Plans would need to be created and planning permission acquired, a process which isn’t instant. Even with the land in place, relationships made, authorities brought into the idea, and planning permission achieved, getting the funds to develop land into pitches, and more, would be a huge ask. No small undertaking, then – although a very worthwhile one if possible.
 
The re-assurance that it was an achievable vision eventually came in the form of one East Midlands club, of similar size and stature to Kewford, who achieved the same for themselves, after a lot of hard work and many years of discussion, canvassing, lobbying and the rest. Once that club’s achievement had been recognised, with an understanding of how they had done it, Kewford Eagles FC committee decided to adopt the same ‘model’. This formal commitment towards the Grass Roots project was unanimously agreed after a visit to the East Midlands club site in September 2006.
 
When the much sought after plot of land on the A449 was made available to the club for possible long-term lease, the project took off. In November 2006, a unanimous committee decision approved the use of the club reserve to acquire a to-year option on the land. Since then, the club has formed the project Steering Group, reporting progress to the committee, doing everything it reasonably can to achieve the vision.
 
There is no doubt that, to achieve this major task is no small undertaking, and no instant matter. It has to go through the right processes, and it has to contend with other unforeseen problems, such as the credit crunch, and possibly even the funding for the 2012 Olympics. A typical project of this type can take five years as a minimum to reach some form of conclusion. The club committee and project steering group have always been fully aware that, whilst there needs to be full, unequivocal commitment to making the project work, there are always checkpoints along the way, to assess and re-assess progress and viability long-term.
 
In saying this, the whole club committee is fully behind the project, and the club sincerely hopes that the rest of the club, and the local community, see this in the same way – that this is probably the best opportunity the club will ever have to achieve football within Kewford Eagles FC for many years to come.
 
 
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.
 
What is the grass roots project?
The project is aimed at providing our community with better, much-needed facilities to play and enjoy football, by developing a plot of land acquired via leasehold. The long-term aim is to to ensure that people, men and women, girls and boys, are afforded guaranteed, quality facilities to enjoy playing and watching grass roots football for years to come
 
Where is the intended area?
The land adjacent to the A449, going out of Wall Heath towards Kidderminster, Click here for map
 
How is the project intended to be funded?
Funds for the whole development would need to come from grant-making sources, which are known to the public, and intended for the funding of large capital developments,. Funds to acquire the land initially on a leasehold basis will come from the club, managing its resources properly.
 
Is the project being built on greenbelt land?
Appropriate outdoor sporting facilities are allowable on this area of green belt, as defined by the South Staffs Council
 
Are there flood lights and will this effect local residents?
Not in the short or medium term – the project scope is for the development of pitches in the first instance. Ultimately, it is planned that floodlights will be installed, and these will be sited well back from any roads. Current technology for floodlights minimises light spillage and maximises the directional aspect. They will be installed so that they affect only the area they are meant to illuminate, and not be a nuisance elsewhere. As stated, it is not envisaged that floodlights will be available for some time, as pitches need to be created first.
 
What about the increase in traffic on already busy roads?
A proper traffic survey has already been commissioned and performed as part of the design and engineering work. This has confirmed the view that, with a properly constructed entrance to the site, with two lanes minimum entry point, with car parking sited well within the facility to take cars off the road quickly, and car parks more than adequate in size to cope with the numbers expected, there will be minimal to no traffic impact.
 
The Grass Roots Project
Diary of events and milestones 2000 – present day 
View a copy of the Grass Roots Project Plans HERE
 
Press Releases