Thorn Athletic and Inchinnan Development Trust are set to benefit from a major funding package to help build new all-weather sports pitches.
Renfrewshire Council has confirmed £780,000 from its Artificial Pitches Grant Fund will go to the two community-led groups—split equally between Thorn Athletic Community Trust and Inchinnan Development Trust (IDT). On top of that, the Scottish FA’s Facilities Fund will contribute even more: £432,000 for Thorn and £668,000 for IDT.
A third project at Renfrew FC to upgrade and replace their current surface will be supported by £196,601 from the SFA and brings the total investment in Renfrewshire’s artificial pitch provision to more than £2million.
Alongside their extensive football programme, Thorn also demonstrated the provision of multi-sport activity and strong partnerships with other local community groups – and the new pitch will help meet the requirement for new artificial pitches in the area identified in the Council’s Pitches Strategy.
Mark McGee, Chairperson of Thorn Athletic Community Trust, said: “Everyone at Thorn Athletic is overjoyed with this funding award and we realise the significance of it for everyone in the community.
“We look forward to developing our facilities, expanding what we can offer and increasing the social impact of our work. This will allow us to secure our footprint at the heart of Johnstone for decades to come.”
Photo: Mark McGee, Thorn Athletic Community Trust Chairperson
Photo Credit: Thorn Athletic
IDT will put under 18s football at its core through its relationship with St Mirren Youth Football Club, while also supporting other sports including a partnership with local club Bishopton Rugby Club.
Maggie Morrison, Operations & Development Manager at Inchinnan Development Trust, said: “To say we are thrilled by this funding success would be an understatement. We are ecstatic and filled with excitement, with a healthy dose of nervous energy too.
“Our first application to the SFA was not robust enough so I’m delighted that, after using the feedback to build a stronger foundation and harnessing the dedication of trust staff, volunteers and board members, we have been successful second time round.
Photo: Maggie Morrison, Inchinnan Development Trust
Photo Credit: Inchinnan Development Trust
“We recognise it is vitally important we bring the entire community with us on this journey, delivering improved facilities while showing respect and consideration to our neighbours. We can’t wait to begin delivering for the people of Renfrewshire one of the first fully recyclable, organically infilled artificial pitches in the West of Scotland. The future is looking green, sustainable, and incredibly bright.”
The grant fund was launched following a Renfrewshire Council budget commitment of £800,000 to improve outdoor sports provision across Renfrewshire. The fund was designed to support community-led organisations in delivering new artificial pitches, with a focus on sustainability, community benefit, and increasing participation in sport.
Applications were assessed against a robust set of criteria, including community impact, project readiness, sustainability, and alignment with Council priorities.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “This investment is a fantastic example of how we are working in partnership with local organisations and national bodies to deliver real benefits for our communities.
“These new pitches will provide high-quality, inclusive facilities that support health, wellbeing and participation in sport for people of all ages and I’m particularly pleased that our funding has helped unlock additional investment from the SFA, bringing even more value to Renfrewshire.
“I look forward to seeing the projects delivered and we’ll continue to support all applicants to try and realise their ambitions too and ensure our communities and sports clubs have access to the facilities they need.”
Photo: IDT artificial pitch – artist’s impression
Photo Credit: Issued by Renfrewshire Council
The SFA will more than match the Council’s investment in both projects, as well as additional support to upgrade and replace the current surface at Renfrew FC.
Andy Gilchrist, the Scottish FA’s West Region Manager, said, “We’ve been delighted to work in partnership with Renfrewshire Council by administering our respective fund processes in a parallel and co-ordinated way and so ensuring that these two fantastic brand-new 3G pitch projects will be delivered.
“These, together with our investment supporting the replacement of the existing 3G pitch at Renfrew FC’s New Western Park, will have really significant and positive impacts locally and further support the delivery of grassroots football in the respective communities and beyond.
“It is well acknowledged how important high-quality grassroots football facilities are for the continued growth and development of our game across all ages and levels. We look forward to continuing this partnership and look forward to receiving new innovative proposals in the future.”
Council officers will continue to work with Johnstone Burgh Community Club and Calderglen Community SCIO’s whose applications were not successful to explore alternative funding opportunities and support them in developing their proposals further.
The Council and SFA will now work with the successful applicants to finalise funding agreements and support the delivery of the projects.