FOOTBALLERS of all ages could benefit if plans for a dedicated complex at Churchfields Academy get the green light from Swindon Council.

The Salcombe Grove school wants to go into partnership with PlayFootball, an accredited organisation focused on widening participation in small-sided football.

Under the plans Churchfields, using artificial turf, will build six five-a-side pitches and two seven-a-side pitches on a 1.95-ha patch of land next to Queen’s Drive.

There would also be a sports pavilion comprising changing and social facilities, and a car park with 119 spaces, accessed from Upham Road.

The facility would be used by the school during school hours, with a community use agreement established for sports clubs.

It would also operate as a commercial facility for PlayFootball.

Mark Oliver,the director of sport and leisure at Churchfields, said: “Our two gymnasiums were built in the 1960s. On the whole our facilities are out of date.

“Our extra-curricular teams are competitive in intra-school competitions and our GCSE PE results compare favourably against other Swindon schools.

“Churchfields Academy and the local community are desperate for a top quality sports facility that can enhance the teaching of health and fitness to young people.

“The proposed development will have an infinite effect on the lives of young people in and around Churchfields and is long overdue.”

In its design and access statement for the application, the applicants said: “PlayFootball and Churchfields Academy aim to provide a quality football experience for all ages, genders and abilities, and offer something different to the traditional 11-a-side game.

“The facility will offer a key opportunity for the school, local residents and local organisations to develop their sporting and physical performance.

“It will also allow individuals to engage with sport and physical activity for the first time.

“It will provide a community hub for more informal activities such as children’s birthday parties.

“There will be no loss of pitch provision on the site following the reconfiguration of the grass pitches.

“A grass hockey and rugby pitch will be introduced to the playing fields to facilitate a wider range of sport activities.”

To comment on the application, visit the council’s website and search: S/14/2109.