The state-of-the-art 3G multi-sport facility located at LNER Stadium in the heart of the Sincil Bank community was officially opened this week.
The refurbishment was made possible thanks to a grant of almost £1million from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation as well as capital investment from Lincoln City Football Club and is part of a wider ongoing £2m project to provide vital green space and community facilities.
The 3G pitch was unofficially opened earlier in the year, with the pandemic delaying its official opening.
The LNER Stadium 3G is home to many of the Lincoln City Foundation's charity projects including those to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals in Lincoln communities, sports training and practical teaching for their BTEC and Foundation Degree as part of the post-16 education provision and the hugely impactful Premier League funded session PL Kicks which gives free access to sport for people aged 8-18 years old.
The opening ceremony will celebrate the impact on the community, showcasing a Walking Football Session, hosting representatives from the community who use the facility, as well has representatives from the Football Foundation, Lincoln City Foundation and Lincoln City Football Club.
An important project that the 3G pitch will host is Lincoln City Foundation’s Girls and Women’s Football Academies.
Launched this year, the Foundation has played a key part in furthering the women’s game, creating opportunities for girls across the county to carve out a career in the sport, that wasn’t there before. This facility is now the home ground for those teams, hosting fixtures against other community club organisations such as Norwich and West Ham.
Danny Carter, head of sport & physical activity for Lincoln City Foundation, is keen to see the facility utilised for the benefit of the local community and wider Lincolnshire.
He said: “This fantastic facility can serve as a space for our local programmes such as Premier League Kicks, to provide opportunities for sports participation which wouldn’t otherwise be available to the local young people.
"We hope it will inspire others from across the county by acting as a home fixture venue for our different football teams, including our Women’s Academy situated here at the stadium and playing host to a number of different tournaments and events.”
Liam Scully, chief executive at Lincoln City FC, said: “Everyone at the club is thrilled to officially open our community facility here at the LNER Stadium.
“Community is a key focus throughout the club, and this improved facility will allow us to play a key role in supporting our area’s post-pandemic recovery as so many local people will have access through the delivery of engaging activity sessions making sport and physical activity available to all.”
Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, added: “We are delighted that the LNER 3G is now open to the public after receiving Football Foundation investment.
“Good quality facilities support the health of local people and communities, which is why we’re investing in projects like this across the country with funding provided by the Premier League, The FA, Government and Sport England.”
If you would like to book a space on the LNER 3G facility, please visit: www.lincolncityfoundation.com or email enquiries@lincolncityfoundation.co.uk
