CALLS to enhance sporting facilities in Radnorshire have grown this week.

Llandrindod Wells Football Club chairman Nigel Thomas has hit out at the club missing out vital grant aid to improve their Broadway ground and the lack of full size pitches in the county town.

Now South Powys sports development officer Elin Wozencraft has backed calls to install state of the art facilities in Radnorshire.

Llandrindod Wells Sports Centre is home to both Presteigne Ladies and Radnor Ladies hockey clubs which compete in the upper echelons of the South Wales League.

However the lack of suitable all weather facilities in the area has restricted development and opportunities for many players.

Wozencraft, a former Llandrindod Wells High School student who is also a key player with Radnor LHC, insisted all children had to be given every opportunity to try all number of  sports.

“All children should be given the opportunity to try out new sporting activities, whatever the sport,” said Wozencraft.

“Children need more physical education time while we need more help from parents and volunteers to revive after school clubs so every child has the opportunity to grow and develop socially, emotionally and physically through sport and physical activity.”

FAW Trust chief executive Neil Ward confirmed the organisation was engaging councils with local clubs and leagues to work out a plan for the future.

“Clubs are finding significant increases in pitch hire fees, which is an issue in terms of the costs they have to pass on to the players involved in the clubs,” said Ward.

“Decommissioning, a closure of facilities and a lack of maintenance means many fixtures are cancelled and then an increasing move from councils to transferring their facilities to more community ownership comes with difficult challenges.

“The Football Association of Wales Trust is  planning for the long term rather than reacting to circumstances that are happening now while finding ways we can protect existing facilities and prevent them from being closed while also enhancing existing facilities.”