A report states that a number of new pitches for football, cricket, rugby and other sports are needed in Wokingham and the surrounding area.

The area has a strong pedigree for sporting, with hundreds of football and cricket teams, that are predicted to be used by more than 10,000 people. 

It is also home to Reading FC's training ground. 

Wokingham Borough Council is devising a strategy on what new pitches are needed in the towns and villages across the borough.

A report states that an additional eight Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs) are needed to meet the requirements of borough football teams alone.

Football is the most popular sport in the area, with 70 football clubs having 654 teams between them.

Examples of teams include Wokingham Town FC, Laurel Park FC in Earley, and Woodley United Football Club.

AGPs, more commonly known as astro turf are used for training, but can also be used for matches if the pitches meet English Football Association (FA) standards.

The borough council has determined that eight astro turf pitches are needed as part of its  Wokingham Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS). 

The PPS is an assessment of the supply and demand for sports pitches and how that may change over time from the present day to 2040.

The assessment concluded that there is a requirement for 17 full-sized 3G astro turf pitches. 

As there are already eight full-size 3G pitches and two smaller
sized 3G pitches within the borough, the current shortfall is eight 3G pitches. 

The strategy also lays out where these new pitches could be established.

Three 3G pitches and four adult grass pitches could be installed at Gray’s Fruit Farm, adjacent to the South Wokingham strategic development location.

Meanwhile, a 3G pitch and an adult grass pitch could be added to Hogwood Farm as part of the Arborfield Garrison strategic development location.

In both Woodley and Earley, a AGP pitch could established, but they would have to be on existing grass pitches. Therefore, a feasibility study is required in order to identify acceptable sites.

Finally, two 3G pitches and four adult grass pitches could be installed as part of the potential Hall Farm strategic development location.

The strategy also goes into other sports, with cricket being the second most popular sport with 20 cricket clubs having 192 teams between them.

Meanwhile, there are four rugby clubs with 93 teams and three hockey clubs with 46 teams.

The council's playing pitch strategy up to 2040 is due to be discussed at a meeting of its community and corporate overview and scrutiny committee on Monday, September 2. 

Further details of the strategy can be found in the agenda reports pack for the upcoming meeting.