Ballinhassig AFC set for a bright future thanks to their new state of the art astro pitch

Ballinhassig AFC, a proud member of the Cork Schoolboys League, is eagerly awaiting the official opening of its brand-new full-size, FIFA-standard artificial soccer pitch at Gortnaglough Community Park.

The development represents a huge milestone for the club, its volunteers, and above all the young boys and girls who will benefit for generations to come.

The €750,000 project has been years in the making, with planning permission secured in 2024 and completion of the project to be marked by players playing on the pitch in the coming weeks. 

It includes a high-quality Astro surface, LED floodlighting, safety railings, ball stop netting, and spectator space. 

The initiative has been supported by local fundraising, business sponsorship, and a sports capital grant and loans applied for by the club. Fundraising included club officials and friends competing in their very own ‘Squid Games’ which required participants to complete several fun-filled challenges.

Ger Spillane has been instrumental in the progression of the project and the club chairman is looking forward to many advantages.

"Our new Astro pitch is a generational investment for Ballinhassig AFC. It’s been a huge financial stretch, the real value will be seeing young girls and boys enjoying match time, building friendships and learning teamwork.

“From our U6 Academy right through the age groups, we’ve seen phenomenal growth at our club. 

"We now have 22 teams and more than 50 volunteer coaches giving their time every week. That’s the heartbeat of our club, ordinary people creating extraordinary opportunities for girls and boys in our community.

“These new facilities will provide for more games, more training, more fun and more development. 

"This pitch is about the next generation of girls and boys who will grow up together on it. Our club’s mission has always been Football for All, to make sure every child, regardless of their ability or disability, has the chance to play. 

"This development is the next big step towards that in our community.” 

The financial challenge of such a monumental project required huge support. For a club rooted deeply in the community, the pitch will transform not just training standards but also the enjoyment of the game for hundreds of local schoolboys and schoolgirls. 

The club is very much focused on their Football for All programme and focus on the development of their female footballers.

U12 manager Michael Aherne explained how significant the project will be for all involved.

“This new astro pitch is an incredibly exciting development for Ballinhassig. 

"For years, our young players have battled the challenges of the weather and limited access to all-weather facilities. To finally have a full-size artificial pitch right here in Ballinhassig really is a game-changer. 

"It means our boys and girls, from U6 right up to youth level, can train and play all year round without much disruption.

 We have already seen the magnificent advantage other clubs around Cork have had by completing similar projects and now our own players can look forward to the same.

"The effort from everyone in the club has been immense – right from our chairman to all our volunteers organising fundraisers, to local businesses who’ve given their support, and parents who’ve backed the project too. 

"It shows what’s possible when a community pulls together.” 

Ahern also talked about the young players of Ballinhassig.

 Most importantly, the children of Ballinhassig and surrounding areas will now have a first-rate facility. 

"It’s about giving our community a shared, modern space to enjoy sport. I’ve no doubt this pitch will inspire a new generation of players, and we can’t wait to see them out there under the lights.” 

For Ballinhassig, the new pitch represents more than infrastructure. 

It marks significant progress and a bright future for schoolboys and schoolgirls football is now set in stone.

As the club prepares for its next chapter, the buzz within the community continues to grow, with state of the art facilities in place to support an exciting time in the club's history.