12/05/2025: Goal! New 3G football pitch officially handed over to Breckland Council

Breckland Council has officially taken possession of a brand-new, state-of-the-art 3G football pitch in Thetford, following a successful partnership with the Football Foundation.

An official handover ceremony took place last week at Thetford's Breckland Leisure Centre, marking the completion of the high-spec facility and celebrating a grant of more than £520,000 from the Premier League, The FA and Government's Football Foundation.

The ceremony was attended by Councillor Tristan Ashby, Executive Member for Health and Communities, and Maxine O'Mahony, the council's Chief Executive, who joined representatives from the Football Foundation, Parkwood Project Management, and Lex Leisure to mark the occasion.

The total cost of the £740,000 project was funded through a combination of the Football Foundation grant and additional investment from Breckland Council and its partners Parkwood Project Management and Lex Leisure.

Councillor Tristan Ashby, Executive Member for Health and Communities, said:

"This new pitch is a fantastic example of how working in partnership can deliver real, lasting benefits for our communities. It's a significant investment in local sport, and one that will provide modern, inclusive facilities for players of all ages and abilities in Thetford for years to come. We're proud to have played a part in delivering such an important community asset."

The new FIFA-standard 3G pitch includes fencing, hardstanding areas, dedicated storage, and energy-efficient replacement floodlights. With provision for 11-a-side, 9-a-side, 7-a-side, and 5-a-side games, it will cater to a wide range of users including youth teams, disability football, and both men's and women's clubs.

The pitch replaces an older sand-dressed astroturf surface, which had reached the end of its usable life. Planning permission was secured in 2024, with construction beginning in March 2025 and completing on time ahead of the summer.

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:

"The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners - the Premier League, The FA and Government - to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.

"Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.

"We're delighted that works to deliver a new 3G pitch at Thetford Leisure Centre are now complete and we're excited to see the new facilities in action."