Caedrawnant 3g Complete!
Football and rugby teams are enjoying practice sessions on Mountain Ash’s brand-new 3G pitch at Caedrawnant.
The all-weather pitch will benefit those wishing to play football, hockey and other sports fixtures without the fear of matches having to be cancelled or postponed due to wet or freezing weather.
It forms part of the wider investment at Caedrawnant, which has also seen the introduction of a new children’s play area and tennis courts to create a social, play and leisure facility for all the year through.
Soon, Welsh Rugby Union officials will be on site to hopefully sign off the pitch for use for full contact Rugby matches, further increasing the potential of the pitch and extending the community offer at Caedrawnant.
The new 3G pitch at Caedrawnant, as well as completed all-weather pitches in Pentre and Pontypridd Rugby Club and recently-announced plans for Maritime in the Graig equates to an investment of some £1m in 3G facilities as part of #RCTInvest
Following consultation with a wide range of sports clubs across the county borough about the facilities on offer, clubs raised the issue of weather and the impact it can have on them offering regular fixtures.
Often, matches had to be called off at the last minute because of wet or freezing conditions, much to the frustration of home and away teams.
The introduction of modern, all-weather pitches means play can continue whatever the weather, supporting the extensive network of sports clubs providing structured access to sporting activity and opportunities – such as coaching, volunteering and sports science – to people of all ages in RCT.
Importantly, the opening of the new facility in Mountain Ash marks the completion of a three-pronged investment in and improvement to the “Cae” creating sport, social and community facilities for all.
At its peak, the Cae will be a bustling location for families and children enjoying the new play area and open space, with tennis courts on offer for all and regular sport on the 3G pitch.
Cllr Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture, met with RCT sports clubs, along with Council Leader Cllr Andrew Morgan, and secured feedback on the need for all-weather facilities.
She has been spearheading the #RCTInvest programme into 3G pitches, which has so far totalled some £1m to date, and will continue to identify future sites that could benefit.
She visited Caedrawnant this week to see for herself the results of the investment. She said: “Caedrawnant is the latest in a series of 3G pitches to be completed and the feedback we have had from clubs now using the new facilities is that they make a massive difference, in terms of the reliability of bookings and fixtures, as well as the numbers of players and teams they can accommodate.
“I have no doubt such positive feedback will also be received from teams and clubs using the now-complete Caedrawnant facility.
“There is a strong and healthy tradition of team sports in Rhondda Cynon Taf and there is a huge network of clubs, coaches and volunteers working across the county borough, with people of all ages and abilities, to develop interest – and skills – in team sports such as football and rugby.
“This effort supports healthier lifestyles and also offers social opportunities. There is an entire industry associated with team sports, such as coaching, volunteering, sports science and other sport-related qualifications and careers, which is also supported by this grassroots effort.
“I am pleased to see the investment of some £1m to date is already paying off. We have recently confirmed plans to introduce a 3G pitch at the Maritime in Graig and we have pledged to consider further sites for investment as part of our commitment to communities via #RCTInvest and also to the players, coaches and teams that shared their feedback with us.”
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