South Downs Leisure have partnered with Worthing Borough Council and Worthing Town FC to open brand new all-weather football facilities at Palatine Park.

Works started on the new facilities at the site in Palatine Road, Worthing, in April 2021 and the pitches were officially opened by our CEO, Ken Benham last month.

The brand-new, state-of-the-art pitch cost £902,000 to develop and build, with two-thirds of the funding coming from a Football Foundation grant as part of Worthing Borough Council’s continued commitment to providing first-class leisure facilities for the community.

South Downs Leisure will manage the new full sized, third generation (3G) artificial surface football pitch and will be shared between pre-arranged community hire and Worthing Town FC, which boasts more than 500 players in men’s, women’s, and youth teams.

Worthing Town will be utilising the pitches for training and games, however public bookings will be available and managed by South Downs Leisure. Bookings can be made online or via Worthing Leisure Centre, in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Upon opening the facility, Ken, had this to say: “We are delighted to see Worthing Town finally able to open their state-of-the-art 3G pitch thanks to the Football Foundation. 

"I was very proud to officially open the facility and it's fantastic to be able to present more playing opportunities to teams and players in the area."

Duncan Anderson, CEO at South Downs Leisure, said: “We are delighted to be working with Worthing Borough Council and Worthing Town FC, and are really excited to be opening these fantastic football facilities that are much needed in the town. 

“Together, we’re offering more opportunities for more teams to play the beautiful game, whatever the weather.”

Councilor Sean McDonald, Worthing's Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing, said: "I am delighted that this project has now been completed. The facility is excellent and will allow local children and adults full use, regardless of the weather conditions. We now have a world class facility in the Borough of Worthing that we should all be proud of.

"Maybe, just maybe, the next Beckham, Rashford, Ellen White or Harry Kane can one day say that they began their career at Palatine Park."
ENQUIRY FORM FOR BOOKINGS

For more information on the facility please contact:

Worthing Leisure Centre
T: 01903 905050
E: enquiries@southdownsleisure.co.uk