Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is helping to fund a multi-million pound plan to create new sports and educational facilities across Merseyside, including a landmark development at Childwall Sports and Science Academy and major investment in sports amenities in Knowsley.
The proposals include six new 3G football pitches and up to 16 padel courts across the two sites. Gerrard is making a significant personal investment to help realise the plans, working in partnership with Childwall Sports and Science Academy, Lydiate Learning Trust and Knowsley Council.
UK's first school padel academy
The plans for Childwall aim to establish what is believed to be the UK's first school padel academy, bringing one of the world's fastest-growing sports into a mainstream educational setting. Three new 3G football pitches will also be provided.
The Knowsley proposals would transform the King George V Playing Fields in Huyton - just yards from where Gerrard was born - with three new 3G football pitches and a padel centre of excellence, which will be open to the community.
Gerrard: 'Sport has the power to change lives'
Gerrard said: "Liverpool gave me so much growing up, and I've always wanted to give something back to the city where I was born and the place I'm proud to call home."
"I'm investing in these projects because I believe in the difference they can make for young people. The ambitions for Childwall Sports and Science Academy are incredibly exciting, and it's been great to work with the Lydiate Learning Trust on this."
"It is also fantastic to announce the plan for Huyton because this is not too far away from where I grew up. The facilities will be world-class. Sport has the power to change lives. It builds confidence, creates opportunity and opens pathways into education, training and employment."
Community support and next steps
It is hoped the investment will give young people greater opportunities to participate in sport, develop new skills and access pathways into further education, training and employment. A pre-application for planning is expected to be submitted soon to Liverpool City Council, Knowsley Council and the Department for Education, with the proposals being developed through Box to Box, a venture backed by Gerrard and The Steven Gerrard Academy - the initiative established by the former Liverpool captain a decade ago.
Ann Stahler, CEO of Lydiate Learning Trust, which operates Childwall Sports and Science Academy, said: "We are delighted to partner with Steven Gerrard and his team to create an exceptional new facility for our students and the wider community. Pupils attending Childwall Sports and Science Academy will benefit from state-of-the-art sports and learning facilities. Our central location means all of Liverpool will be able to benefit from this exciting venture."
Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley said: "This is an exciting proposal and a significant vote of confidence in Knowsley and its young people. As someone who grew up in Knowsley, I know how important it is that young people here have access to the very best on their doorstep and people round here deserve it. I'm made up to see a local lad and one of my big heroes Steven giving back to the community that made him, making King George V Playing Fields a really brilliant place for all of us to be proud of and use."
Cllr Graham Morgan, Deputy Leader of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Leader of Knowsley Council, said: "I am so thrilled to be able to announce this partnership with Steven and to be working alongside him to bring first class sporting facilities to our communities. Steven is more than just a sportsperson here in Knowsley, he is living proof that sport not only enriches but can transform lives and create opportunities that many young people can only dream of."
