The Jersey FA is calling for “further clarity” around funding for a new 3G pitch at Le Rocquier after a Premier League backed report found that the island has a “shortfall” of at least four full-size pitches.
The Local Football Facilities Plan for Jersey was published by Premier League funded charity Football Foundation.
The external report found that, on the basis that there are 245 teams in the island, there is a potential requirement for 6.5 full-size 3G pitches.
Jersey currently has 2.5 full-size 3G pitch equivalents so the report concluded that there is a “shortfall” of four full-size 3G pitches.
The report recommended that new pitches could be created at Le Rocquier School and at Inverness John Bathe Field at Maufant as “priority projects for potential investment”.
“There is a further unmet shortfall for which specific sites have not yet been identified,” it added.
The report also pointed to “unprecedented growth” in football participation over the last five years, particularly in the youth and female game.
“Overall participation is estimated to grow year on year, equating to an additional 92 teams in Jersey by 2030, of which 43 will come from women and girls,” the report said, adding that this could represent the equivalent of two additional full-size 3G pitches.
According to the Jersey FA, the demand for modern, all-weather football facilities for training and fixtures has reached a “tipping point”.
The association said that island’s current 3G pitches are operating at near full capacity at peak times during evenings and weekends.
Jersey FA CEO Tim Pryor explained: “We’re seeing more and more people getting involved in football and other sports.
“Without the right infrastructure, we face the real prospect of people in the community being denied the opportunity to participate.
“Clubs and the Jersey FA are struggling to get training slots on 3G pitches at appropriate times, with the facilities often fully booked out on the evenings or weekends required.”
He said that the association has already put in requested dates for next season’s cup finals, to ensure space at Springfield.
Mr Pryor added: “We know clubs are struggling to get slots, at peak times the current pitches are rammed, back-to-back.
“It’s a real positive that so many people want to participate in our game, but now we need to ensure the facilities are there to cope with demand.”
He pointed to the fact that the Government confirmed Le Rocquier as its preferred location for developing a 3G pitch – but called for “some further clarity on where the funding is for this project and just how likely it is for work to start in the next few years”.
Football development officer Andy McKay, who has specific responsibility for facilities work, said that 3G pitches are “a necessity for the development and longevity of football in Jersey”.
He added: “These projects take time to plan and deliver, so it’s important we act now.
”We need joined-up thinking across government, football, and the wider sport and community sector to get this done for the island.”
The Jersey FA confirmed it is in the “early stages” of investigating whether Inverness John Bathe Field at Maufant – the only ground owned by the association – could be converted into a 3G pitch, but noted that additional land for parking would “likely be required”.
“Discussions are also underway about three potential sites in the west of the island,” the Jersey FA added.