WORK to build the new Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) at Tarka Tennis Centre, in Barnstaple, is now 50 per cent complete with an anticipated finish date of September 13, 2019.

There has already been a large response from clubs looking to train at the venue, with the majority of midweek evening training slots now fully-booked. There is still some availability, especially in the 9-10pm slots or at the weekends, so any groups keen to access the facility are urged to email: [email protected] to register an interest.

North Devon Council is building the new full-size floodlit AGP following successful funding bids from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund, S106 Funding*, North Devon Council Capital Funding and Devon County Council Investing in Devon Funding.

It will be the only full-sized artificial pitch in North Devon and Torridge licensed with the Football Association (FA) for formal match play.

It is a key target for the new facility to be used for matches and an exciting new under 18s nine-a-side league is being planned. The league will be affiliated to Devon FA under the banner of North Devon Youth League with matches played once a fortnight on Friday evenings.

The league organisers are looking for a minimum of four and a maximum of eight teams to join initially.  Players can be from under 18s, under 17s and under 16s year bands.

Anyone interested in putting forward a youth team can contact Pete Evans by email: [email protected] or telephone 01237 238325.

*Section 106 (S106) is money paid to the council by developers as part of the planning conditions of planning applications. The money can only be used for certain things, but is used primarily for public open space projects.