Community footballers in Cornwall can now enjoy an enhanced matchday experience after Scott Mann MP opened the doors to Lanivet Parish Sports and Recreational Trust’s new community building and changing rooms  on Saturday 2 March 2019.

The new pavilion was made possible thanks to investment from the Premier League, The FA and Government, through their charity, the Football Foundation.

After netting a £65,975 grant from the Football Foundation, work begun on the site in December 2017. Following the opening of the new community building, football can now return to Lanivet.

The rural setting of the village and lack of football facilities meant people were having to travel a considerable distance to play football. Children were reliant on being driven to training and matches and this was limiting participatory opportunities.

As the main football team in the village, Lanivet FC’s focus is to work alongside Cornwall County FA to develop both the adult and junior football sections of the club. The new changing pavilion will provide the club with the infrastructure to attract junior footballers and improve playing opportunities for different members of the community.

Peter Old, Chairman of Lanivet Parish Sports and Recreational Trust, said: “With the co-operation of both national and local organisations we have created a quality facility. The help of the Premier League, the FA and the government has enabled football to come home to the parishioners of Lanivet and guarantee the sustainability of grassroots football in the future.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The support of the Premier League, The FA and government enables the Football Foundation to help improve community sports facilities like this one across the country. Their funding has played a key role in delivering this new community building in Cornwall and I am delighted for everyone associated with Lanivet Parish Sports and Recreational Trust.

“This is one example we want to make people in Cornwall aware of, that they have the kind of quality pitches and changing rooms that are taken for granted in other counties. We will continue to support projects nationwide, but we cannot do this on our own, so we are encouraging organisations in the area to join our movement to deliver quality football facilities for people in Cornwall once and for all.

“Taking part in community sport at any level offers many benefits and rewards, not least the opportunity for people to enjoy themselves and socialise with different members of the community.”