SHERFORD AND ARGYLE TEAM UP TO OPEN PITCHES
Extensive new outdoor sports facilities are opening at Sherford this week and they will be managed by Argyle Community Trust, the official charity of Plymouth Argyle. The exciting new partnership will provide community access to Sherford Sports Hub, which has an all-weather sand-dressed astro turf pitch, full-size grass pitch, and tennis courts.
From Wednesday 2nd October onwards, both Sherford residents and the wider local community will have access to the new public pitches and high-class facilities – and will be able to hire pitches and book onto courses through a new online booking system. Located on Hercules Road, the amenities are easy to get to and include a car park, public toilets including an accessible toilet, and an on-site office for Argyle Community Trust.
The investment in these sports facilities is part of a broader vision to create a vibrant and active community, driven by the Sherford Consortium and supported by Plymouth City Council. The Sherford Consortium is a partnership between two award-winning national housebuilders – Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group, which includes Linden Homes, Bovis Homes* and Countryside Partnerships – which is responsible for the creation of Sherford.
The collaboration with Argyle Community Trust ensures that these pitches will be used to their full potential, offering opportunities for grassroots teams and individuals to engage in activities right on their doorstep, removing barriers to participation. Argyle Community Trust will bring a wealth of expertise to Sherford, with more than 20 years’ experience of sports development in the region, and the successful operation of Manadon and Central Park sports hubs. The Trust engages thousands of people through its sports programmes and community outreach activities across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall.
To mark the milestone and celebrate the launch in style, a Community Launch Week will take place throughout half-term from Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November, with a whole host of free or discounted activities taking place.
- Community Open Day: Monday 28th October, 10am-2pm
Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate the new partnership. A free event with no booking required, the day will provide an opportunity to experience the new facilities first-hand and offer a range of fun activities for families, including:
- Sports – football, tennis, cricket, hockey
- Face painting
- Refreshments – Argyle’s Pilgrim Pizza, ice cream
- A food donation stand for Project 35, Argyle’s social impact project, in partnership with Ginsters, aimed at tackling poverty
- A visit from Pilgrim Pete!
- Half-term Launch Week: Tuesday 29th October – Friday 1st November
Argyle Community Trust will run a variety of activities and taster sessions. Open to all, visitors are invited to have a go at tennis, kick a ball around on the astro pitch, and enjoy the new facilities. Equipment will be available to use – or participants can bring their own. The full list of events, free activities and discounted sessions will be listed on the website.
Argyle Community Trust will run various sports sessions, holiday clubs, and community outreach activities at Sherford from the new facilities. This will include an opportunity to play tennis for free at least once a week with support from qualified tennis coaches, free equipment hire, and a loyalty scheme. Information on the programme, prices and booking details will be available on the dedicated Sherford Sports Hub page.
These new sports facilities at Sherford are part of a broader plan that includes multiple sports and recreation areas at Sherford. The town has already welcomed a multi-use games area and skatepark, plans have been approved for a leisure centre, and future amenities will include football, cricket and rugby pitches, and a new pavilion building.
Richard Harrison from Taylor Wimpey, part of the Sherford Consortium said: “The opening of these new sports pitches and facilities marks yet another important milestone for Sherford. In partnership with Argyle Community Trust, we are committed to fostering a community where sports and recreation are accessible to all. We believe these top-tier sports and recreational facilities will inspire many to pursue an active lifestyle and bring the new and existing local communities closer together.”
Lewis Coombes, Head of Facilities from Argyle Community Trust, said: “We're proud to be partnering with the Sherford Consortium to launch these facilities and are really excited by the opportunities we can offer to the Sherford community. We know that city-based sports clubs, community groups, and local residents are going to really value these spaces so we are looking forward to engaging with them to fulfil their needs and promote availability and accessibility of the facility.”
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sports and Leisure for Plymouth City Council, added: “Gaining high-quality new pitches and sport facilities is great news for Plymouth. Argyle Community Trust has achieved a huge amount locally and is the right choice to manage these new facilities at Sherford. We are committed to making Plymouth a great place to grow up and grow old and through partnerships such as this are creating opportunities for more people involved in physical activity and creating new and exciting spaces to enable this.”
Find out more about Argyle Community Trust at www.argylecommunitytrust.co.uk
