Draft Belfast Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sports Facilities Strategy

4. Data, research and intelligence: Methodology 

4.1 The approach to developing the draft Belfast Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sports Facilities Strategy includes three key strands of work.

4.2 Strand one: Consultation, engagement and site inspections

• We undertook work in conjunction with consultants in 2023 - 2024 to establish baseline information across all sports and council facilities. It included:
  • four consultation events, delivered across Belfast. A total of 55 individuals attended, representing 27 clubs across seven sports
  • quality inspections of all council-owned playing pitch and outdoor sports facilities sites. We undertook these visits and inspections during March and April 2024
  • consultation interviews with key organisations and stakeholders with an interest in the provision of playing pitches and outdoor sports facilities. These interviews informed the commentary and assessment of current provision and the strategic context for future provision.

4.3 Strand two: Focused survey work carried out by Belfast City Council in 2025

• The baseline work completed in 2023- 2024 identified that four sports make up the majority use of our pitch facilities. To ensure that this strategy was informed on the most comprehensive and up to date information possible, a further, more targeted survey was undertaken in 2025, focusing on these four sports. Response rates were high across all sports surveyed.
  • Soccer: 80 per cent
  • Gaelic games: 91 per cent 
  • Rugby: 67 per cent 
  • Cricket: 59 per cent 
• As a result of the 2025 survey, the significant volume of participants involved in soccer and Gaelic games has been clearly evidenced. 

Table 3: Soccer and GAA club numbers in Belfast catchment area

Bridging the significant gap between supply and demand for soccer and GAA has been identified as our priority. The facilities priority within this strategy will adopt a phased approach, with the first phase (Years one to four) focusing on improvement plan actions aimed at reducing the supply gap for these two sports. The partnership and resource priorities will continue to have a broader focus, supporting all the sports within the scope of this strategy.

4.4 Strand three: Further consultation and engagement

• This strand of work will monitor and respond to the outcomes of the first phase of capital investment and build the business case for further investment, ensuring focus on where it can deliver most impact against strategic outcomes. Strand three will include the reassessment of supply and demand across all 11 sports covered by this strategy.  
• In addition to the overarching strategic factors outlined previously, survey and consultation responses were instrumental in shaping the improvement plans. High-level commentary on responses received from soccer and GAA clubs is summarised in the following text, to support development of facilities priority improvement plan. All soccer and GAA clubs within our catchment area were contacted as part of the 2025 survey. Whie response rates were high, they did not reach 100 per cent. The relevant governing bodies were also contacted for comment by our consultant, Otium, and their feedback has been incorporated into our following findings.    

4.5 Responses in relation to soccer:

• The 2025 survey achieved an 80 per cent response rate from the local soccer clubs contacted. Consultation responses identified the following key challenges facing Belfast clubs: 
  • Mid-week training facilities: preferably floodlit 3G. Most Belfast’s clubs highlighted accessing training facilities as a significant challenge. Increasesed participation rates, especially among girls and women, has intensified demand for training facilities in recent years.
  • Supply and demand: 60 per cent of clubs reported difficulties securing pitch bookings for matches, while 55 per cent reported the same issue getting training slots. Clubs expressed the need for additional pitches, improved changing facilities, and dedicated clubhouses to accommodate growing membership and enhance club activities.  
  • Facility quality: many clubs reported concerns regarding the consistency and quality of playing surface. The Irish Football Association (IFA), recommended that we ensure 3G pitches are certified to a recognised standard and maintained to that level. For grass pitches, the issue of insufficient supply has resulted in overuse in some locations, impacting pitch quality and leading to match cancellations. The IFA also recommended we have a buffer supply of pitches available for use, amounting to a small oversupply rather than merely meeting current demand. Concerns were also raised that some changing pavilions no longer meet modern expectations and quality standards particularly in relation to provision for women and girls. 
  • Location and proximity: many clubs reported difficulties with the distance and location of suitable facilities, affecting their ability to provide training opportunities, particularly for youth teams and to host matches.
  • Community and youth engagement: clubs emphasised the importance of facilities that support youth and community programmes, foster local talent and encourage greater participation in sport.
• These insights highlight the importance of addressing issues relating to pitch and pavilion maintenance, improving facility conditions including the pavilion, and quality of floodlighting and ensuring pitch supply is sufficient to meet the growing demands of soccer clubs in the council area.

4.6 Responses in relation to Gaelic games 

The survey achieved a 91 per cent response rate from Gaelic games clubs.   

The Board of County Antrim GAA highlighted its aspiration to have a pitch available for each of its clubs across Belfast. However, given the limited availability of land within a heavily developed urban area such as Belfast, and the larger footprint for full-size GAA pitches (12,600 metres squared) compared with 5,856 metres squared for a full-size soccer pitch), achieving this aspiration presents a significant challenge.

• Sports Hubs: 78 per cent of clubs are in favour of using shared sports hub facilities for training or matches. Booking availability, floodlighting and rental fees were identified as the most important considerations.
• Facility quality and location: 
  • Condition and availability of venues: most clubs reported difficulties accessing venues of a suitable standard especially suitable floodlit facilities for training.  
  • Accessibility: clubs report that the distance to, and location of, suitable facilities can negatively impact their ability to train and play matches effectively, particularly youth games.   
• Expense of facilities: 22 per cent of clubs reported that facility hire charges were prohibitive and had a negative impact on club operational budgets and capacity for growth.
• Development needs: many clubs identified the need for additional pitches, improved changing facilities, and dedicated clubhouse facilities to accommodate growing membership and enhance club activities.
• Community and youth engagement: clubs emphasised the importance of facilities that can support youth and community programmes, foster local talent and encourage sports participation.
• Specific club needs: clubs including St Agnes GAC, East Belfast GAC and Wolfe Tones GAC outlined development plans that include upgrading existing facilities, securing dedicated pitches, and improving overall infrastructure to support growing levels of activity. These aspirations will require significant financial support.
• Synthetic pitches: survey responses identified a strong preference for grass surfaces, with only 29 per cent of clubs indicating a willingness to use 3G surfaces for match play. The County Antrim GAA Board commented that 3G floodlit facilities, where they are provided and available for booking, are an excellent option for winter pre-season training and fitness. However, grass remains the preferred surface for match play. 

4.7 Responses in relation to cricket 

Four of the seven cricket clubs within the council area completed a club’s survey, while representatives from two clubs attended the stakeholder consultation event.

The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) advises that cricket is going through a boom presently with participant numbers growing at the fastest rate ever experienced, driven by the increasing popularity of the women’s game and a shift in the diverse make-up of Northern Ireland’s society. We currently provide five cricket pitches, all of which the NCU believe could benefit from further improvement and investment. 

• High demand: 100 per cent of clubs surveyed reported encountering barriers to accessing outdoor match facilities. The primary issues identified were difficulties securing booking slots (50 per cent) and finding venues in suitable condition (50 per cent). All clubs indicated a willingness to use shared sports hub facilities, provided that booking availability and rental fees were appropriate crucial factors.
• Facility quality and condition: finding venues with suitable surfaces and in good condition is a major issue, affecting 50 per cent of clubs.
• Floodlit venues: the availability of suitable floodlit training facilities was also highlighted as a significant issue.
• Development needs: clubs reported continued growth in participation and highlighted the need for additional pitches and training facilities to accommodate their growing membership. Particular concern was expressed regarding the limited number of cricket pitches and practice nets in Belfast, with respondents calling for urgent attention to support the sport's future growth and participation. 
• Community and youth engagement: clubs placed a significant emphasis on increasing participation levels, particularly among youth and minority communities. Respondents identified improved access to facilities and additional capacity as key factors.

These insights highlight the importance of improving facility quality and maintenance, increasing access and availability, ensuring suitable conditions, and providing financial support to meet the growing demands of cricket clubs within the council area.