A proposed new football facility at Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School that could be a gamechanger for Eagles
Over the past two years we’ve been working closely with Simon Langton Girls’ School to build a case for the funding of a full-sized floodlit 3G pitch.
It’s a facility that would transform sport at the school and enable the Eagles to train and play at a consistent, high-quality venue, something we’ve lacked in over 40 years as a club. In November 2020 our hopes received a huge boost when the Football Foundation published its Local Football Facilities Plan (LFFP) and listed our project as a priority.
Since then surveys have been completed, plans drawn up, and we’ve attracted support from a variety of areas including local MP Rosie Duffield and Charlton Athletic Community Trust. Eagles would hire the 3G pitch from SLGGS for training and matches, at a preferential rate which reflects our involvement in the application process and our financial donation to the scheme.
“We now have an opportunity to secure the long-term future of Canterbury Eagles and expand the range of footballing opportunities we can provide in the local community. Our committed players and dedicated coaches really deserve this fantastic facility.”
Let the Eagles spread their wings
By any measure, a community football club that has existed for over 40 years has done well. To do that with no guarantee of where training and matches will take place from one season to the next is an even greater achievement. We have built excellent relationships with our local schools and universities over the years, and many of those relationships will continue.
But there’s no doubt the new venue at Langton Girls’ will represent a huge stride forward for us as a club. As a training facility for all members and a match venue for many, the 3G pitch and surrounding infrastructure will give us:
greater financial predictability
year-round facilities unaffected by weather
a place for players and parents to come together
an environment where coaches can collaborate
a place from which secretaries and coaches can manage the busy weekend schedule
the potential to widen participation in our football sessions for beginners
With an agreement in place with SLGGS to guarantee our use of the facility on an ongoing basis, at very favourable partner rates, the future of Canterbury Eagles will be much more secure.
“As Canterbury’s favourite recreational football team for women over 30 we want to be able to provide recreational sessions for women of all ages and abilities. This project will help us to deliver the dream. We also want to expand and develop our facilities for girls to start playing and enjoying football and would love to have the facilities to give the female footballers of the future to have the chances we never had.”
An East Kent hub for girls’ and women’s football
Football is the fastest growing girls’ participation sport, and this exciting partnership between Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School, Canterbury Eagles and Canterbury Old Bags United is great news for female footballers in the area.
SLGGS has seen a huge surge of interest in football in recent years, and it is now taught as a core sport at the school. Eagles’ girls’ teams will provide out-of-school playing opportunities for Langton students and many more girls across the Canterbury area, while our thriving Wildcats group will continue to offer a fun and friendly entry point into football. At adult level, Eagles intend to form a women’s team for the 2023-24 season, providing a clear pathway from beginner to senior level. Canterbury Old Bags United will continue to provide non-competitive social football for women of all ages.
Excitingly, Kent FA will also base their Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre at the site, which we hope some of our own players can take advantage of. So often in the shadows of men’s football, this facility aims to make girls’ and women’s football a genuine priority.
“This bid, if successful, will benefit the local community alongside Canterbury Eagles and Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School, bringing vastly improved facilities, a reduction in cancellations due to the weather and pitch conditions, more financial stability and more opportunities to run fundraising events.”