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Originally opened in 2011 as the Friar Park Hub, the small-sided 3G pitches, gym and community pavilion at the site had fallen into disrepair – severely limiting their use by the local community. Now, thanks to grant funding from football bodies alongside additional investment of £250,000 from Sandwell Council, the site off Friar Park Road has been transformed into a vibrant, inclusive hub for sport, fitness, and community activity. Work which has been carried out includes: Refurbishment of existing pitches to provide a total of seven small-sided 3G surfacesReplacement of 23 sets of floodlights with energy-efficient LED unitsNew equipment, flooring and decoration for the gymNew energy efficient boilers and LED lighting throughout the pavilionRefurbishment of the community cafe The revamped facilities are already being used by 16 local grassroots junior football clubs and are supporting recreational football with daily pay and play sessions. In the next 12 months, the Hub is expected to support the creation of more than a dozen new women’s and girls’ football teams using the site. From November, the Hub will be used each Sunday morning for matches by 32 mini-soccer teams of Walsall Junior Youth Football League. It will also host free youth sessions, holiday camps, and structured football clubs for children not currently part of a team. The site will be operated by the charity Leisure United on behalf of the National Football Trust, who will re-invest any surplus income generated back into grassroots sport locally. Mark Coulson, Leisure United CEO, said: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Premier League, The FA, and the Government’s Football Foundation for their generous £1.1 million investment, as well as to Sandwell Borough Council for their crucial £250,000 contribution." The new Hub is on the former site of Phoenix Collegiate, who played a key role in developing the project. Sandwell Council's cabinet member for adult services, health and welbeing, Councillor Jackie Taylor, said: "This is a fantastic example of how partnership working can transform lives. The Wednesbury Hub is not just a sports facility - it’s a place where people come together, get active, and feel part of something. It’s a huge win for community health and wellbeing.” Councillor Peter Hughes, cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure, said: “This investment is part of a much wider regeneration story for Wednesbury and Sandwell. With over £1.2 billion worth of projects completed or underway - including Friar Park Urban Village, Tamebridge View, town centre improvements, and enhanced community safety measures like CCTV - this hub is another milestone in making Wednesbury a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking town. "We are also deeply grateful to Phoenix Collegiate for placing their trust in Leisure United to operate the site — an organisation we value immensely and who are fully committed to honouring by unlocking the full potential of this facility for years to come."
