**Parents Outraged as Swansea Junior Football Clubs Warned Over Council Pitch Usage**
A recent dispute has sparked tension across Swansea’s junior football community, as several clubs have received stern warnings from Swansea Council regarding the unauthorised use of council-owned sporting pitches over the summer. According to both parents and local football league officials, the decision has left many feeling disappointed and frustrated as children face restrictions on when and where they can play.
The controversy began earlier this month when it came to light that a number of teams, despite prior instructions, had continued to use public football pitches for both training and friendly matches during the off-season. This prompted John Cornelius, general secretary of the Swansea Senior Football League, to send out a directive, in partnership with the Junior League, reminding clubs to comply with the council’s rules prohibiting off-season usage.
In his communication, Cornelius detailed the seriousness of the issue. He explained that council authorities had obtained evidence of clubs ignoring previous warnings. “We and the Junior League have received notification from Swansea Council that even though we have both told you to refrain from using pitches throughout the city, quite a number of you have failed to heed their directive,” he wrote.
Clubs were put on notice that if they continued to flout regulations, they could face severe consequences. “Today we have been told that clubs who may now have a picture of you training or are approached by a council representative and caught training on the pitches, Swansea Council have now said they will refuse to issue that club with a permit for the coming season,” Cornelius added. This final warning has stoked concern among local teams, who are now under pressure to comply or risk missing out on the opportunity to play at all.
The directive has been met with anger and disbelief by parents whose children play in the affected leagues. Libby Mckavett, a parent of a young footballer, expressed her frustration at the council’s stance. “Parents are appalled that our children aren’t able to play a sport and have fun. These are six-year-old children who just want to play football with their team,” she commented, underscoring the sense of disappointment felt throughout the community.
Council officials, however, have defended their actions, arguing that the summer months are a crucial time for pitch maintenance. A spokesperson for Swansea Council explained that essential work was being undertaken to ensure the playing surfaces across Swansea are in optimal condition for the new season. “We’re currently carrying out crucial seeding and watering football pitches across Swansea so that the playing surfaces are in the best possible condition for the start of the season in August,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further explained that unauthorised training and games had already caused issues, particularly at Ashleigh Road, where overcrowded parking had created additional difficulties for users of Swansea Bay Sports Park facilities. “Unfortunately there have also been instances of training sessions arranged on pitches which has caused problems at Ashleigh Road due to overcrowded parking, which has had a knock-on effect for other users of the sporting facilities,” they noted.
Swansea Council maintains that it hopes for continued cooperation from both senior and junior leagues as the pre-season maintenance period progresses. The ideal outcome, officials suggest, would be for everyone involved—clubs, coaches, players, and parents—to show understanding and patience until the pitches are ready for the upcoming season. “Whilst we have said that we would have to take action against clubs who repeatedly hold training sessions or arrange friendlies during this period, we would hope everyone works together to avoid this,” the council stated.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges local authorities face when balancing the need for maintaining communal resources with community demand. As the start of the football season approaches, it remains to be seen whether further disputes will arise, or if a compromise can be reached that allows young players to enjoy their sport without risking vital preparations for the year ahead.