Work has begun to build the John Jenkins Stadium in Portsmouth, with Pompey in the Community (PitC) CEO Clare Martin laying the first brick earlier this week.
In partnership with Moneyfields FC and Portsmouth FC Women, they have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop a home – at the heart of Portsea Island – to provide all-weather pitches, a gym, dance studio, boxing facilities, club house and lots more.
The surrounding grounds will also be developed and landscaped to include an environmental classroom.
The £5 million project has been funded by The Football Foundation, Pompey Supporters’ Trust, The Eisner Foundation, Portsmouth City Council, the Government’s Levelling Up fund, Veolia, the Beneficial Foundation and PitC fundraising.
The new sports facility will become a central hub for the community – for people to train, learn, play and, most importantly, belong and grow.
Each week during term time, PitC deliver coaching and training programmes to more than 6,000 students and pupils – that’s more than 36,000 individuals each year.
"It will provide something for everybody and help improve health and wellbeing across the city."
Clare said: “We run sports, education, health, inclusion and disability projects in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas through a range of programmes and projects.
“We have more than 50 full-time coaching and support staff, plus our casuals, in addition to a whole army of volunteers.
“But until now, we haven’t had a home and have had to beg, borrow and steal facilities around the city.
“A specialised boxing gym will allow us to support the young people of Portsmouth even more.
“In addition, a multi-use games area, flexible classrooms, studios and community hub will provide something for everybody and help improve health and wellbeing across the city.”
Today the first brick was laid at our future home, the John Jenkins Stadium!
— Pompey ITC (@PompeyITC) March 15, 2022
Look out at 6pm tonight on @itvmeridian for the full story!#pompey #johnjenkins @pompeywomen @MONEYFIELDSFC @BBCSouthNews pic.twitter.com/9sqvDRkMEp