15 Years Of Hurt · Issue 832

The quality of Cardiff’s sporting facilities have been brought into the spotlight as the AU pushes for new investment

AFTER 15 YEARS without significant improvements to Cardiff’s sporting facilities, the Athletic Union is launching it’s ‘Invest In Sport’ campaign for the funding of a £350,000 rubber crumb all-weather surface at Talybont.

The proposal for new training facilities has twice been deferred by the University Board, but this renewed effort is being spearheaded by the AU following the release of figures from The Times Good University Guide 2007.

The guide ranks Cardiff’s sporting facilities at fifteenth from seventeen Russell Group Universities, while lying bottom in the group of six Welsh universities, with a star rating of just 20 from a possible 55.

Since the last facility upgrade in 1988, the number of students studying at Cardiff has quadrupled, meaning the University is struggling to accomodate it’s 5,000 active sports club members.

The lack of training time and all-weather facilities have been identified by both the football and hockey squads as having a major impact on the University’s indifferent BUSA performances.

Cardiff’s form can be compared with the recent performances of fellow Russell Group member Bristol, who have risen seven places in four years to 11th following investment in their Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, which boasts purpose-built, indoor and outdoor facilities for the use of it’s students.

In addition, The Times guide highlights more facility failings, awarding the range of pitches and courts a disappointing 2-stars despite the AU having 60 sports clubs, while it notes the University has no boat house or athletics track.

The third-generation rubber-crumb surface would upgrade the current grass training facility at Talybont, which faces constant problems of poor drainage and grass cover, especially in the winter months. Upgrade of the pitch would provide a synthetic, highly durable, grass-like pitch.

The investment would benefit the prestigious rugby and football clubs, while the lacrosse and Cardiff Cobras American football squads would similarly profit.

The proposal would also ease the training congestion problems on the other all-weather hockey surface at Talybont. It is possible the benefits could extend even further, if ideas of playing IMG on the facility are feasible.

Rubber crumb pitches are now becoming an essential asset for sports clubs; Real Madrid train on similar surfaces, and in the last two years many University’s have built at least one full-size facility, while Manchester, Portsmouth and Newcastle are planning similar investments.

Dr. Tudor Williams, Head of Sport at the University of Glamorgan, who have recently financed a £450,000 full-size rubber crumb football pitch, has described these 3G facilities as “the recognised surfaces for football training, used for all levels from beginner to elite”.

These sentiments are echoed by AU President James Woodroof, who believes approval of the bid would be significant start in regenerating Cardiff’s facilities commenting; “Rubber crumb pitches are no longer a luxury. It is a basic facility, popping up in even primary schools. Upgrading this pitch is a tiny step in the right direction. But this campaign has highlighted inadequacies in our entire sports infrastructure.”

So far, over 1000 students have signed the facebook.com petition ‘Invest In Sport’, while the AU has events such as a Fun Run on 17th February, and a dedicated Union night ‘Rubber Duck for Rubber Crumb’ to raise awareness further.

Comments on the petition have labelled the Universities current sporting facilities as “seriously under standard”, being in an “overload situation” and a “major flaw” at Cardiff University.

The AU application, which will be presented to the next sitting of the University’s Strategy and Resources Committee on February 13th, also contains letters of support from the club captains of football, hockey, American football and lacrosse, who unanimously agree that investment is of vital importance to their clubs progress.

The proposed training facility has also received backing from the Development and Alumni Relations (DEVAR) Office, who cite the easing of pressures “from already stretched sporting and recreational resources” of high importance in their approval of the bid.

Cardiff’s Student Council also unanimously passed the proposal in their latest meeting.

Looking at the statistics, it is clear Cardiff’s facilities are not meeting the standards required for the AU clubs to be able to compete at a reasonable level, while they fail to provide adequate facilities for other students who want to keep fit.

The acquisition of a rubber crumb pitch would not fix the sporting facility issue; it would be an initial step into the 21st Century, and could also lead to future developments and investment in sport.

Should the decision on the proposed surface be deferred yet again, Cardiff will be left further behind by its competitors, both in terms of resources off the pitch, and in performances on it.