New state-of-the-art pitch is helping Stenhousemuir achieve community goals

The club’s charitable arm – Warriors in the Community – is using revenue generated from the hire of its state-of-the-art pitch to fund various projects away from the grounds.

These include a winter warm hub and the club’s community help initiative which supports more than 50 people each week by providing homemade meals, shopping for those who need assistance and a befriending service.

Community groups in Stenhousemuir also have access to sports coaching and additional support from the club.

As well as being home to both Stenhousemuir men’s and women’s teams plus Grangemouth outfit Syngenta, over 450 people aged between two and 70 use the pitch every week.

This includes a range of youth teams, walking football and a football group for individuals suffering with mental health who are referred by the local NHS.

Responsible finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS) provided £148,000 of funding to lay the new surface and it is expected that over 500,000 people will use the pitch over its lifetime. The club also hopes to reuse or recycle the old pitch in collaboration with other community groups.

Stenhousemuir’s Blair Cremin, who has recently moved into the head of charity role within the club, praised the impact of the 4G pitch: “Stenhousemuir Football Club, and our charitable arm, Warriors in the Community, is about more than one team playing 90 minutes on a Saturday and as a community interest company one of our key objectives is to engage with and support those in our local area.

"Our facilities are our greatest asset to do this. Having a state-of-the-art 4G pitch allows us to invite far more groups to use our facilities than if we were to have a traditional grass pitch. While many use the pitch for free, funding from others helps us to provide valuable support for our community away from the pitch.”

Chris Jamieson, head of investments at SIS, added: “Clubs such as Stenhousemuir have a huge role to play within their communities, especially during times of uncertainty. The new 4G pitch is a great example of how providing finance to one organisation can create a ripple effect across an entire community.

"It not only provides a place to come together, play sport and socialise, but also offers a source of income to fund initiatives away from the pitch. The ongoing cost of living crisis is affecting everyone; however, it is encouraging to see communities coming together to support each other.

"We wish Stenhousemuir the best for the season, both on and off the field.”