Leicester Road FC in Hinckley files plans for new MUGA training pitch for players and BTEC academy

A football club in Hinckley is planning to expand its facilities with a multi-use games area (MUGA) as a training pitch and to support its scholarship programme. Leicester Road FC has filed plans to build the pitch to the north of the main stadium, for its teams to practice on and to support the BTEC Academy based at the club.

Planning documents filed with the application said that the club does not currently have an artificial training pitch, which is impacting the club’s performance in the Premier Division South United Counties League. The new MUGA is also needed for use by students on the two-year BTEC in Sports Management, which is taught at the club.

The course, for 16 to 19 year olds, was postponed during the coronavirus pandemic but the club is now preparing for the 2023/24 intake, with the academy to operate on site during the week, from 8am to 5pm. Managers also hope for the new pitch to be used for the Football in the Community initiative, which involves schools, colleges and youth groups in the area using the club’s facilities.

It would also support the Healthy Living for Non Players project, which seeks to engage spectators and anyone not participating in sport to get active, through activities such as walking football. Football operations at the club are currently focused on the senior men and women’s teams, as well as the Under 18 boys and girls teams and an Under 13-16 development team programme.

The current stadium has capacity for 6,250 spectators, including 732 seats, and can host elite level football games, as well as rugby, field hockey, American football and Gaelic field sports events. The stadium is used by the Leicestershire FA for finals of their regional competitions and has been used by the