Highly anticipated new 3G football pitch gets the go ahead thanks to funding boost

08/12/25

A new 3G football pitch is set to be delivered in Stowmarket after funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation was secured.

Mid Suffolk District Council has secured 51% of the project costs from the Football Foundation, with the pitch due to open in spring 2026.
It will be built on the grounds of the high school and made available for community use.

The pitch will use cork infill – as part of research by the Football Foundation that is looking at the use of a variety of different pitch systems.

The 3G pitch is part of the council’s wider sports and wellbeing strategy for the area. This has seen a new trim trail and cricket nets installed at Chilton Fields and grass pitches there upgraded - with a new mini-athletics track and sports pavilion also in the pipeline at the site.

Councillor Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment, culture, and wellbeing, said: “I am really thrilled that we have been able to secure this funding.

“As a council, we have been committed to increasing and improving the sports and wellbeing offering in Stowmarket and the creation of a new 3G pitch is such a great step towards that goal.

“This is going to be such a fantastic community facility and one that I am hoping can be utilised by sports teams and enjoyed by residents for many years to come.”

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.

“This grant award to Mid Suffolk District Council towards developing the project at Stowmarket High School is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”

Matt Stebbings, Football Development Manager at Suffolk FA, said: “The new 3G facility in Stowmarket will be a fantastic addition to help drive participation across all three pathways. Huge thanks to the project team at Mid Suffolk District Council, and the Football Foundation team and its funding partners (Premier League, The FA, DCMS).

"This project has been selected to become a test site for the Football Foundation to look at possible alternative infills for 3G pitches. This project will complement broader work the Football Foundation is doing to support the development of the most environmentally sustainable solutions and it’s an exciting opportunity for Suffolk to be working with them on this research.”

Craig Morrison, Chief Executive of Kingfisher Schools Trust, which includes Stowmarket High, commented: “Following the new school buildings in 2020 and the upcoming further extension due to increasing enrolment, this is a hugely welcome investment in ensuring that high-quality sports facilities provide opportunities for school students and the wider community.”

Lucie Hernandez, headteacher at Stowmarket High School, added: “We welcome the new addition of a 3G Astro pitch which will enhance our sports facilities and offer. We are extremely proud of our sporting success and look forward to our students benefiting from the use of this facility during PE lessons, clubs and fixtures in the near future. It’s a great time to join the expanding offer Stowmarket High can provide alongside its 300 capacity new build which is incoming.”

The rest of the funding for the 3G pitch will come from Section 106 developer contributions.