Argyle Community Trust’s major development plans to reach over 17,000 users

After 20 years as the charitable arm of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, Argyle Community Trust is set to make its biggest step forward in development.

A natural progression for Argyle Community Trust has now arrived in the form of a proposed state-of-the-art sporting hub based at the former Ministry of Defence all-weather pitches in Manadon.

The project is being put together in partnership with Plymouth City Council, the Football Foundation and the England and Wales Cricket Board, with the overall objective of building a lasting sporting legacy for the community to enjoy, reaching 17,000 to 30,000 users.

Proposed facilities include office space for the Trust, an education suite, function rooms, grass and 3G pitches and a full cricket wicket.

“We have been presented with a wonderful opportunity to participate in a major development and it will allow us to deliver a new level of services to the people of Plymouth, and the surrounding areas,” said Argyle Chief Executive Martyn Starnes.

“It is a wonderfully diverse service we provide through the Trust and we consider it to be the jewel in the crown of Plymouth Argyle.

‘’The Manadon project will enable us to offer even better provisions and opportunities for everyone to access sport in our community.”

Argyle Community Trust has grown immeasurably from the humble beginnings of just a couple of coaches delivering soccer courses in the holidays or at after-school clubs.

The Trust now boasts over 40 full-time staff, based at Home Park, Carn Brea in Cornwall and North Devon, providing a full spectrum of programmes in sports participation, education, inclusion and health.

In the past year alone, the Trust has delivered over 9,000 sessions to people across Devon and Cornwall, and an age range from three to 89.

Council Leader and local ward councillor Ian Bowyer said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside the Argyle Community Trust and other partners to create what will be Plymouth’s first cricket and football development hub.

‘’This will significantly improve one of the priority sites in our Playing Pitch Plan and make a big difference to clubs, groups and the local community.’’

To find out more about Argyle Community Trust visit: https://argylecommunitytrust.co.uk/