The most popular sports in Sefton have been revealed!
Sefton Council’s new Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy has detailed how many people are out getting fit every week at sites across the borough.
The Strategy reveals that football is by far the most popular sport in Sefton, especially south Sefton.
It sees 147 clubs supporting 645 teams, mostly playing on grass pitches but with a small but increasing number of full size 3G football pitches in the last couple of years.
By contrast there are 13 cricket clubs (7 in Southport) supporting 86 teams, 3 rugby clubs supporting 42 teams, and 3 hockey clubs with 26 teams.
Sefton has 14 tennis clubs (7 in Southport, none in Bootle & Netherton) with around 2,000 members.
There are 39 bowls clubs, with over 1,500 members, although there has been a reduction locally in the number of clubs and greens over some years.
These team figures include women’s and girls’ teams (with more proposed in the future), and reflect strategic recommendation for increased participation, corporate council inclusivity and health priorities.
For example, the Football Association’s National Game Strategy includes participation in women and girls’ football, disability football and futsal.
The Strategy, which will come before Sefton’s Cabinet meeting this Thursday (27th July 2023), sets out a need for thirteen 3G pitches for local football teams to play on.
It also identifies 20 priority sites for football grass pitch improvements, mostly Sefton Council pitch sites.
In his report, Sefton Council Assistant Director of Place (Economic Growth and Housing) Stuart Barnes said: “The Sefton Playing Pitch and Open Space Strategy sets a strategic framework to make sure that Sefton will be able to best meet existing and future need for outdoor sports within the constraints of limited resources.”
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