Football and cricket are the big winners in West Berkshire's draft playing pitch strategy, which says the district needs another 10 pitches to meet demand.
The plan backs new grass and artificial pitches, more tennis courts and padel - which tops the wishlist - plus a dedicated lit hockey pitch at Henwick Worthy. It also urges a coordinated investment plan to modernise courts, standardise access and rebalance capacity.
But the strategy barely grapples with the rapid rise in women's and girls' sport. It admits growth in women's and girls' rugby, football and cricket will be the biggest over the plan period, yet offers no clear strategic approach to support it.
Netball gets a patch-up approach: fix mossy courts and use school sites more. Clubs say shared surfaces, insecure venue access and poor facilities limit play and reliable court time.
Cricket currently has 196 teams in the district, of which nine are women's and 22 are girls, playing on 26 pitches. The report says there's an under supply and suggests better use of school grounds and new pitches along the Newbury, Thatcham and Reading A4 corridor.
Football figures show 392 teams in West Berkshire: 65 adults (eight ladies, 53 men, four walking football) and 327 youth teams, of which 53 are girls'. There are five rugby teams (one with women/girls), two hockey clubs, 23 cricket sides, 14 LTA clubs (about 2,500 members) and five public courts.
Phoenix Lacrosse Club - a female‑focused club based at St Bart's - struggles for marked pitches and a home. It's recommended to get three new pitches.
"On the whole we think it's really positive for Phoenix and we are excited to be recognised," said club chairman Alan Moon.
"Given we are a club with over 100 members, who run three youth teams and a ladies, having a home would be be both amazing and justified given our size as a club.
"The other point of importance is maintaining a choice of sports for youth and encouraging people to try different team sports.
"The domination of the most popular sports, along with the funding, is squeezing out choice.
"Our concern centres around the 18-year term of the strategy; what and when will the next steps be?"
The public consultation report on the playing pitch strategy was due for publication on Wednesday, April 29 but has not yet been published.
https://westberks.gov.uk/media/65193/Draft-Playing-Pitch-Strategy-2025-2041-for-consultation/pdf/PPS_Draft_Strategy_for_consultation_FINAL.pdf?m=1764780248557
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
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