Pitch Your Views for Football Funding Programme

Football could be used as a way of encouraging more people in South Tyneside to get more active.

The Council is seeking to secure funding from a new programme from Sport England called Active Through Football.

The project, which is funded by the National Lottery and delivered by the Football Foundation, aims to tackle inactivity in people aged 16 and over. A total of £10m is available and South Tyneside is one of just 45 local authorities through to full application stage to bid for the funding.

Community engagement is key to any potential funding success and people are now being asked for their views to help shape a future football development plan for lower socio-economic areas within the Borough.  The Council wants to know where people want to play and what format of the game they are interested in, whether that be disabled football, walking football or small sided football.  All ideas are welcome.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader with responsibility for Leisure and Culture, said: "Football is, of course, a hugely popular sport in the North East, but people now have an opportunity to shape the future of football in South Tyneside.

"As well as improving both physical and mental health, football can also bring people together and strengthen communities.

"However, it is important that people let us know their views so that more residents can access the activities they want and get involved in football in a way they enjoy."

People are encouraged to share their thoughts on the type of football activities they would like to see and help strengthen the Council's application by completing a short survey. The survey is available at  www.southtyneside.gov.uk/haveyoursay

The survey closes on 2 April 2021.