Crumbs · Issue 834, by Joanna Dingle

University pledge £175,000 to fund a new Rubber Crumb pitch at Talybont, putting Sport firmly back on their agenda

The University has pledged at least £175,000 to the Invest in Sport campaign towards a new all-weather training pitch at Talybont.

At a meeting last Tuesday attended by Students’ Union President, Joe Al-Khayat, the University Strategy and Resources Committee unanimously agreed that in principle funding for the development would be in place, subject to match funding.

Match funding might include money from external sources,sponsorship, or fundraising.

The cost of the much-talked- about rubber crumb pitch is around £350,000, so the University’s contribution would go a long way towards funding it.

The document detailing the rubber crumb proposal was presented to the University at the beginning of February along with letters addressed to the Vice Chancellor from a number of sports clubs.

The main principle behind Invest in Sport is campaigning to get sport back on the University’s agenda. Since the last investment in facilities in 1991, the student population of Cardiff University has quadrupled, leaving students competing not just on the sports field, but also for use of training facilities.

The campaign is a long-term initiative and hopes of new tennis courts, a boathouse and swimming pool have all been raised by students who believe the current facilities to be sub-standard.

The campaign petition located on the social networking site Facebook reached over 1,000 members in the first week it was live, demonstrating the overwhelming demand. Similar proposals from the University Sport and Exercise department have been presented to the University in recent years, however they were all deferred, and this is the first student-led campaign.

The all-weather training pitch is considered the first stage of the campaign and could have the potential to benefit men and ladies football and rugby, lacrosse and American football.

In addition, the nine hockey teams will benefit from more time on the current astroturf facility. A number of these clubs currently struggle with restricted training times as a result of inadequate facilities. It is hoped that the creation of a rubber crumb pitch would enable the clubs, some of whom are currently facing relegation attributed to lack of quality practice time, to train in all weather conditions, all year round.

In addition to BUSA clubs, IMG football teams could also make use of the pitch.

Understandably ecstatic, Athletic Union President, James Woodroof said: “The Invest in Sport campaign is proving to be a massive success, and sport is finally on the University’s agenda.

“This commitment is a small but significant step in the right direction for sport at Cardiff.

“Events such as the Fun Run and Health Month have raised awareness of the need for investment in sport, and the student voice has been heard.”

A University spokesperson said: “The University’s Strategy and Resources Committee was supportive of the proposal for a new rubber crumb pitch training facility at Talybont.

“The Committee agreed to match all funding won from external bodies towards the cost of such a facility.

“The University looks forward to the Students’ Union’s support in undertaking the next stage of the project and in working with us to ensure that such external funding is won.”

Woodroof expressed his hope that – if the University is successful in their sports match funding bid – the rubber crumb pitch would be ready by the start of the new BUSA season.