Upgraded sports centre opens for future Lionesses

It is hoped an upgraded Kettering Sports Park will nurture future Lionesses

An updated sports facility that hopes to encourage more female football players has been officially opened.

Kettering Sports Park at Thurston Drive in the Northamptonshire town now has an all-weather astroturf pitch, new fencing, LED floodlights, spectator area as well as a refurbished sports pavilion.

Partly supported by Lionesses Futures Fund, the pitch will prioritise access for women and girls through reserved peak-time slots and inclusive changing facilities, the local council said.

The pavilion, originally built in the 1980s, will also support the Kettering Town Harriers Athletics Club, which gets a new flood-lit track on the site.

The pitch upgrade was partially paid for by the government's Future Lionesses Fund

The facility will also be open to the wider community, ensuring everyone can benefit, North Northamptonshire Council says.

Construction on the improvements began in March 2025 following the award of over £1m in funding from various sources.

Brian Benneyworth from North Northamptonshire Council said: "It's very timely to launch our new facilities here at Kettering as the Lionesses celebrate a phenomenal successive win in the 2025 UEFA Euros.

"Football is a growing sport for women and girls and this is a much-needed resource for the Kettering community."

Northamptonshire Football Association chief executive officer Kirsty Clarke said the organisation was "excited to welcome all members of the community" to the sports park.

The new pitch at Kettering is one of more than 30 projects across England to benefit from the Lionesses Futures Fund, a £30m cash injection from the government and The FA delivered by the Football Foundation.