Wales football manager Rob Page has helped the Council officially open its brand-new, state-of-the-art 3G sports facility in Rhondda today (Wednesday, November 9) ahead of naming his 2022 FIFA World Cup squad.
The Council’s fantastic new outdoor sporting facility is at the Baglan Field in Penyrenglyn.
The first event held there, immediately after the opening ceremony, was the Rhondda Primary Schools’ Football Festival, organised by Sport RCT, attracting hundreds of schoolchildren.
Sport RCT is a Council team that works to get people of all ages and abilities into leisure activities – from football events to “Mams and Prams” and Super Agers activities. Find out more at www.sportrct.co.uk or follow them on social media.
Helping Rob Page cut the ribbon to officially open the new facility were Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Councillor Ann Crimmings, Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, and Councillor Rhys Lewis, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Participation.
It is the 14th 3G facility to be opened by the Council across the County Borough, achieving its ambition to ensure that residents have access to such a facility within a 3-mile radius of wherever they live.
The latest 3G facility is situated next to Penyrenglyn Primary School. It includes a full-size 3G football pitch and three 5-a-side pitches.
The full-sized pitch is graded to Tier 3. This means South Wales Alliance League, Cymru South League and Adran League football can be played there. The facility also has a rugby shock pad, meaning that teams can train on-site.
Managed by the Council’s Leisure for Life service, which also has 12 centres across RCT, the 3G pitch can be booked for hire via the free Leisure for Life APP or [email protected]
In addition to community use, the facility will also serve Penyrenglyn Primary School as its playing pitch.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “This is a fantastic facility for the whole community. I am delighted that the Wales football manager, local boy Rob Page, could officially open it with us.
“This is a flagship project and one that the Council is incredibly proud of. It fulfils our commitment to provide a 3G facility within a 3-mile radius for every resident.
“As has been seen today, the 3G can be used for a range of sports and by people of all ages. I know our Leisure for Life team would love to hear from teams, clubs and organisations that want to take advantage of the space.”
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Participation, said: “I am sure the community and the local school will use the full-sized pitch and five surrounding pitches fully. Hopefully, it will produce male and female football internationals of the future. I thank Rob Page for coming on this special occasion to inspire our future generations.”
Rhondda-born Rob Page and the Football Association of Wales made their announcement at Tylorstown Memorial Hall on the same day before they fly to Qatar for the opening of the global tournament on Sunday, November 20. It is the first time Wales has competed in the FIFA World Cup in 64 years.
Speaking ahead of the squad announcement, Rob Page said: “There is no bigger honour than coaching your National Team. I can’t wait for the challenge the next four years will bring, starting with our first FIFA World Cup in 64 years.
“This is an exciting time for Welsh football. I hope we can make the country proud in November and continue our success by qualifying for more major tournaments.”
