A state-of-the-art changing rooms and shower facility has been officially opened by former Saints player Jason Dodd at Shedfield Recreation Ground.

The new £570,000 changing rooms/showers were made possible by grants from the Premier League, the FA and Government's Football Foundation as well as Winchester City and Hampshire County Councils.

After netting a £160,000 grant from the Football Foundation, building work began in August 2022.  The new changing rooms replaced old rooms that were no longer fit for purpose.

Other substantial grants from Winchester and Hampshire ensured the pavilion could be extended to open it as a valuable community asset to all residents, work which was supported by the Football Foundation.

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The Football Foundation grant enabled Shedfield Recreation Ground Charity to build a new extension to house changing rooms and showers/toilets which will enhance the playing experience of our local and visiting teams.

The new facility comprises two changing rooms, for home and away teams, as well as new showers and toilets. It has replaced old changing rooms and out of date showers.

The total cost was £570,000.  In addition to the £160,000 from the Football Foundation there was also £150,000 from Winchester City Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy fund and £20,000 from Hampshire County Council for energy efficiency measures.  The remaining £220,000 came from Shedfield Parish Council’s own CIL funding.

The site will be used by Meon Valley Churches and Waltham Wolves as well as Wickham Dynamos and the local pentanque team. Local cricket sides would like to use the site during the summer months. A girls team started playing on the site last month.

The club worked in partnership with the Hampshire FA to secure the Football Foundation funding.

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Cllr Linda Warren, lead on the project for Shedfield Parish Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted with our new facility and want to thank Jason Dodd for opening the facility for us.

"This extension would not have got off the ground without the support of the FA and Government funding through the Football Foundation.  We also have to thank Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council for further financial support.  We now have a state of the art facility which is receiving fantastically enthusiastic support from our local teams with interest coming from a number of quarters and is proving first class opportunities for grass root sports.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: We are delighted that Shedfield Recreation Ground is now open to the public after receiving Football Foundation investment.

“Good quality facilities support the health of local people and communities, which is why we’re investing in projects like this across the country with funding provided by the Premier League, the FA, Government and Sport England.”