Rochdale Sport Association sign agreement for St Wilfred’s Playing Fields

Date published: 12/07/2008

Rochdale Sport Association (RSA), a voluntary organisation set up with the purpose of helping to promote participation in amateur sport in our town, has signed a 10 year agreement with Rochdale Council, with the option to extend to 25 years, to use what was formerly known as St Wilfred’s Playing Fields.

The Association currently runs an adult football team, three youth teams and a women’s football team - the teams are named after one of their principle sponsors, the Copperpot Restaurant.

It is a matter of concern amongst many amateur sporting organisations that there is a serious lack of good quality facilities in town and with this in mind RSA took the decision to seek a suitable piece of land to set up a high quality sports facility.

Association chairman Malcolm Journeaux said: "It is good news for our association as we now have our own ‘home’ and we can set about raising the necessary funds to develop the land into a high quality sports facility. It is also excellent news for local residents as it is our intent to work with the local community to ensure they benefit from the facilities, and moreover, ensures one of the few green spaces in the area does not get swallowed up for yet more housing development.

"We are holding an open day on the field on Saturday 19 July and local residents are warmly invited to join us; association officials will be on hand to answer resident’s questions and expand on our aims and objectives. There will also be a five aside football competition and teams from the local community would be most welcome – please telephone Tony McCarroll on 07968 855718 to confirm entry. Free refreshments will be provided."

Leader of the Council, Councillor Alan Taylor, who has given the project his full backing, will be attending, as will Rochdale MP Paul Rowen.