Works are underway to deliver a Football Foundation PlayZone in Sandown, thanks to £250,00 grant from the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation.
Football foundation Playzones are small-sided facilities designed by the local community to host football as well as a variety of other sports.
£250,000 grant
In April 2025 Sandown Town Council were awarded a £250,000 grant from the Football Foundation to construct a new PlayZone.
Like all PlayZones, the pitch has been designed based on extensive engagement with Sandown local residents to ensure it will meet the needs and preferences of the local community.
Programmes hosted by the Bay Youth Project
Following extensive Community Engagement, the PlayZone will be used to deliver community outreach through sports programmes.
The Youth element of this initiative will be hosted by the Bay Youth Project who will be working with England Netball and the Isle of Wight Cricket Board.
Catering for all ages
The local youth football club who have struggled to find pitch space will be using the PlayZone for training, and as a space to grow their girls teams.
England Netball will also be delivering adult sessions from the space.
This project has also been supported by an additional £152,000 from Sandown Town Council.
Lightfoot: Designed to make physical activity more accessible
Alex Lightfoot, Mayor, Sandown Town Council said,
“The PlayZone will be a community-led space which will be designed to make physical activity more accessible to Sandown Residents, promoting inclusivity, as well as providing a space for the youth of Sandown and other priority groups to participate in sports which would not otherwise be accessible to them.”
Sullivan: The new facility has been shaped by the local community
Rob Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said,
“When it comes to tackling the greatest inequalities to becoming active, the Football Foundation knows a ‘one-size fits all’ approach doesn’t work.
“That’s why community LED engagement is at the heart of our PlayZones programme.
“As with all PlayZones the new facility at Sandham Grounds has been shaped by the local community in Sandown who’ll be able to step out onto the pitch and get active in a way that suits them.
“Thanks to the funding we received from our partners – the Premier League, The FA and the Government, the Foundation will be delivering over 240 PlayZones like this one across the country.”
The PlayZone is expected to open in January 2026.
To find out more about the Football Foundation PlayZones programme, visit their
website.
News shared by Jennifer on behalf of Sandown Town Council. Ed
