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Multi-use sports pitch opened at Southfields Park – Latest News – News Updates
Published: Tue 28th April, 2026
Back row, left to right: Joe McSharry, Leicester City in the Community, Harry Scoble, Community Youth, Sport & Physical Activity Development Officer at Active Charnwood, Zoe Griffiths, Physical Activity and Wellbeing Manager at Active Charnwood, Samantha Balram, Physical Activity and Well Being Development Officer at Active Charnwood, Eleanor Montgomery, Contracts Officer at Charnwood Borough Council, Cara Baker, Planning Liaison Officer at Charnwood Borough Council, Andrew Doodson, Senior Sports Development Officer at Active Charnwood, Kieran Clarke, Physical Activity & Sports Development Officer at Active Charnwood, Ali Adnan, Leicester City in the Community. Front row, left to right: Cllr Liz Blackshaw, the Council’s Lead Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, Jenny Northage, Mayoress of Charnwood, Cllr David Northage, Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Jennifer Tillotson, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing, Economic Development, Regeneration and Town Centre, Cllr Anne Gray, the Council’s Lead Member for Open Spaces and Will Blanche, Senior Active Recreation Development Officer at Active Charnwood.
A new multi-use, five a side style sports pitch has officially opened at Southfields Park in Loughborough.
The Cruyff Court officially opened on Tuesday, 28 April following a Charnwood Borough Council project in partnership with Leicester City in the Community and the Johan Cruyff Foundation.
The court was opened by the Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr David Northage.
The 4G pitch will offer a space for visitors to the park to get involved in sport all year round.
The project has been funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the Johan Cruyff Foundation and through Section 106 contributions.
Cllr Jennifer Tillotson, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing, Economic Development, Regeneration and Town Centres, said: “I am really pleased to see the Cruyff Court open in Loughborough as it will provide key facilities for residents to enjoy sport and keep active.
“It has been a pleasure to work collaboratively on this project with the Johan Cruyff Foundation and Leicester City in the Community.
“I am also delighted with the investment that has been made into Southfields Park through both the Loughborough Town Deal and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
“Over the past two years, we have seen the opening of the Cruyff Court, the installation of a new canopy, new outdoor gym equipment open, and improved lighting on pathways to make it a safer and more enjoyable place to visit.”
Matt Bray, Senior Community Manager at Leicester City in the Community, said: “We’re delighted to see the Cruyff Court open in Loughborough. It’s fantastic to have been involved in a project that delivers such an important space for people to play sport and come together.
“The new court provides an accessible, welcoming area for all ages, creating a vibrant hub for sport, youth activity and community at Southfields Park.”
The Cruyff Court is free to use during the park’s opening hours.
Floodlights and safety cameras have been installed at the court.
The total cost of the project is £235,000. The UKSPF has provided £100,000 in funding for the project.
Since 2022, the borough council has been allocated £5.3 million of UKSPF funding to support 25 different local projects.
The Johan Cruyff Foundation supports and develops high-impact sports and play projects around the world for children and youngsters for whom sports isn’t a guaranteed part of their lives. They bring this to life through sports projects for children with special needs, the development of outdoor facilities in underserved communities, and social programmes.
To find out more about the Johan Cruyff Foundation, visit its website.
