Student and community sport teams will have access to some of the best facilities in the UK following the redevelopment of Cardiff University’s Llanrumney Sports Fields.
The state-of-the-art training and playing facilities have been delivered in partnership with Cardiff City House of Sport (CCHOS), Cardiff Council and Sport Wales.
Together the partners have developed four purposed built, floodlit, all-weather pitches to complement existing facilities on the site. New CCHOS training and academy facilities will also follow next year.
Cardiff University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, Claire Morgan said: “I’m a huge advocate for student sport and recognise how much of an impact it can have on our students’ experience at Cardiff University. So, it’s amazing to see fixtures underway once again on our Llanrumney site after this significant upgrade made together with our partners Cardiff City House of Sport, Cardiff Council and Sport Wales.
“Our investment in these facilities means more students will be able to benefit from sport, which we know can help enhance and maintain mental health, boost academic achievement, and increase employability prospects.”
The new home for Cardiff University’s rugby, football, hockey, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse and American football teams features a brand new Tier-2 3G football facility, a floodlit 3G IRB standard rugby pitch, a dual IRB/FIFA standard rugby/football pitch and a new synthetic hockey pitch.
Ffion Hewlett, an MSc Sustainable Supply Chain Management student and President of Ladies Rugby at Cardiff University, said: “This new development is a great asset for Cardiff University Sport! The speed it allows us to play our game at and the fact it can be used in all weathers is great and incredibly inviting.
“The facilities also put us on a level playing field with other great sporting universities and will really allow the clubs here at Cardiff to train and perform at their best.”
Olivia Evans, Cardiff University’s VP Sport and Athletic Union President, added: “I think I speak for all our members when I say that these facilities are a welcome addition to the Cardiff University sporting experience.
“Being able to train and play on facilities such as these will only help facilitate and progress the sporting achievements of all our students.
“But sport is about so much more than success. Throughout my time at Cardiff, I’ve found sport to be the perfect way to make new friends, new memories and to feel part of a team. So, I cannot wait to witness some of the memories that are made at these new facilities over the next few years.”
The site will also serve the newly established Llanrumney Community Sports Trust, which aims to develop and promote junior, youth and adult sports provision so local clubs can continue to thrive.
The facilities will play a key part in supporting the Trust’s sport for all ethos, with club sides retaining access to the all-weather and grass pitches for male and female community fixtures.
Councillor Keith Jones, County Councillor for Llanrumney, said: “There is a proud sporting heritage in Llanrumney and thanks to the investment in these impressive sporting facilities we have a promising sporting future ahead. From local children, to Cardiff University students and the next generation of elite Cardiff City players, these new facilities will have a profound impact on Welsh sport.
“Our community is grateful for the partnership working from Cardiff University, Cardiff Council and Cardiff City Football Club, which will put Llanrumney on the sporting map for all the world to see.”
Cardiff City Football Club’s academy will also permanently locate to the site in Spring 2023 when work is completed on their new facilities.
Their 16-acre site will utilise the former Dr Who building to house a two-story accommodation block with offices, classrooms, lecture theatres, canteen, changing facilities and a 3G indoor pitch, as well as external synthetic and grass pitches.
Steve Borley, Director of CCHOS, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Cardiff University and Cardiff Council who have embraced our vision to create a sports campus in East Cardiff.
“The new site provides state-of-the-art facilities for Cardiff University students and a place Llanrumney clubs can call home alongside the new Cardiff City Academy complex.”
