Dignitaries and young people cut ribbon at entrance of the West Smethwick Park's Play Zone
Sandwell Council has officially launched a network of nine Football Foundation PlayZones – safe, inclusive, and accessible outdoor sports facilities – across the borough, thanks to a transformative £1.7 million funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
The launch event, held at West Smethwick Park on Monday 27 October, marked a major milestone in Sandwell’s commitment to creating vibrant, active communities and delivering on its Child Friendly Sandwell principles. These new small sided facilities are designed to bring people together through recreational football and a variety of other sports for all ages, with a strong focus on inclusion and community ownership.
Funded by the Football Foundation the council and Sport England the PlayZone Programme targets communities with the greatest need, aiming to reduce inequalities in access to physical activity. The initiative prioritises:
- People from lower socio-economic backgrounds
- Women and girls
- Disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
- Ethnically diverse communities
Councillor Steve Melia, Mayor of Sandwell, said: “These Football Foundation PlayZones are more than just pitches – they’re places where children and families can feel safe, be active, and build lasting friendships. They reflect our vision for a Child Friendly Sandwell, where every child has the opportunity to play, grow, and thrive in their local community.”
Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, added: “We’re incredibly proud to launch these PlayZones in partnership with the Football Foundation. This investment is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together with our communities. I want to thank the Football Foundation for their support and belief in Sandwell. These spaces will make a real difference to people’s lives – especially our young residents.”
The council led a borough-wide community engagement and consultation process, ensuring each PlayZone was co-designed with local residents to reflect their needs and preferences. The spaces are open year-round, day and night, and feature simple booking systems to encourage inclusive use.
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “I hope these fantastic PlayZones will be a great source of pride for local communities in Sandwell who helped shape and deliver the project, without whom it simply wouldn’t exist.
“Thanks to the funding we receive from our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government, the Football Foundation will be delivering over 200 PlayZones like this one across the country."
Sandwell’s PlayZones are located in 9 local parks:
- West Smethwick Park
- Victoria Park, Tipton
- Victoria Park, Smethwick
- Tividale Park
- Oakwood Park
- Bearmore Park
- Jubilee Park
- Windmill SAFS
- Lewisham Park
The project has also been awarded a £150,000 activation grant from Sport England to ensure long-term success and sustainability.
Sandwell Council extends its heartfelt thanks to the Football Foundation for its continued support and investment in the borough.
The launch of Sandwell’s PlayZones complements the wider Black Country Move Together campaign, which encourages residents across the region to get active in ways that suit their lifestyle. The campaign promotes physical activity as a way to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, and build stronger communities – values that align closely with the PlayZone initiative.
Families can also explore Sandwell Go Play, a borough-wide programme offering free activities for children and families, including football, games, and creative play sessions. These events are designed to be fun, inclusive, and accessible to all. To find out what’s happening near you, visit: https://goplaysandwell.co.uk/events/
For even more ways to get active across the region, check out the Active Black Country Activity Finder – a free online tool to discover local sports, fitness, and wellbeing opportunities: http://blackcountrymoving.activityfinder.net/
Residents can also take advantage of Sandwell Leisure Trust’s wide range of affordable health and fitness activities, including gym memberships, swimming, group exercise classes, and wellbeing programmes – available at leisure centres across the borough. Find out more at: Home | Swimming, Gym & Fitness | Sandwell Leisure Trust
For more ways to stay fit and well residents can visit Healthy Sandwell https://www.healthysandwell.co.uk/.
Picture caption:
Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council, Ward Councillor of Soho and Victoria, Councillor Farut Shaeen, Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Steve Melia, Chole Johnson Football Foundation, Ward Councillor of Soho and Victoria Councillor Ragih Muflihi and Anna Renken Football Foundation with Year 8 pupils from Bristnall Hall Academy at West Smethwick Park PlayZone