• Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard unveils a major plan to give back to city with huge sports and education investment 
  • Plans include the UK’s first padel academy for young people and new 3G pitches at sports hubs in Liverpool and Knowsley 
  • The football legend says “I’ve always wanted to give something back to the city where I was born and the place I am proud to call home” 
  • The plans are being brought forward with Childwall Sports and Science Academy, Lydiate Learning Trust and Knowsley Council  

Steven Gerrard has announced multi-million-pound plans to create a new generation of state-of-the-art sports and educational facilities across Merseyside including ambitious proposals for a landmark development at Childwall Sports and Science Academy and a massive investment in sports amenities in Knowsley.

The plans which are being brought forward in partnership with the former Liverpool and England captain, who is making a significant personal investment to help bring the developments to life, include six new 3G football pitches and up to 16 padel courts across the two sites.

The plans for Childwall would see major investment in the school, creating opportunities for pupils from a wide range of backgrounds to access high-quality sporting facilities, experience new activities, and develop skills that support their physical, social and personal development. It includes an ambition to establish what is believed to be the UK’s first school padel academy, bringing one of the world’s fastest-growing sports into a mainstream educational setting. New 3G pitches at the school will also provide world-class football facilities for students and the wider community. It is hoped the investment will give young people greater opportunities to participate in sport, develop new skills, and access pathways into further education, training and employment.

Gerrard is also announcing a simultaneous multi-million-pound investment in Knowsley. 

The football legend, who established the Steven Gerrard Academy more than a decade ago, is working in partnership with Knowsley Council to transform King George V Playing Fields in Huyton with three new 3G football pitches and a padel centre of excellence, which will be open to the community. The site is just yards from where Steven was born. 

Steven Gerrard said: 

“Liverpool gave me so much growing up, and I’ve always wanted to give something back to the city where I was born and the place I’m proud to call home.

“I’m investing in these projects because I believe in the difference they can make for young people. The ambitions for Childwall Sports and Science Academy are incredibly exciting, and it’s been great to work with the Lydiate Learning Trust on this. It is also fantastic to announce the plan for Huyton because this is not too far away from where I grew up. The facilities will be world-class. 

“Sport has the power to change lives. It builds confidence, creates opportunity and opens pathways into education, training and employment. We’ve seen that through the Steven Gerrard Academy already. 

“Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and bringing it into a school setting alongside world-class football facilities will give young people even more opportunities to get active, develop new skills and discover a sport they might never otherwise have tried.”

Ann Stahler, CEO of Lydiate Learning Trust which operates Childwall Sports and Science Academy, said: 

“We are delighted to partner with Steven Gerrard and his team to create an exceptional new facility for our students and the wider community. Pupils attending Childwall Sports and Science Academy will benefit from state-of-the-art sports and learning facilities. Our central location means all of Liverpool will be able to benefit from this exciting venture.”

Cllr Graham Morgan, Deputy Leader of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Leader of Knowsley Council, said:

“I am so thrilled to be able to announce this partnership with Steven and to be working alongside him to bring first class sporting facilities to our communities. Steven is more than just a sportsperson here in Knowsley, he is living proof that sport not only enriches but can transform lives and create opportunities that many young people can only dream of. 

As a local lad that grew up just down the road from here, it feels even more poignant that he has chosen to invest in Huyton and I cannot wait to see the plans come to life.” 

Anneliese Midgley MP, Member of Parliament for Knowsley, said: 

“This is an exciting proposal and a significant vote of confidence in Knowsley and its young people.

“Investment in high-quality sports and community facilities makes a real difference –  giving young people positive opportunities, helping people to be more active and creating places that communities can be proud of.

“As someone who grew up in Knowsley, I know how important it is that young people here have access to the very best on their doorstep and people round here deserve it.

“I’m made up to see a local lad and one of my big heroes Steven giving back to the community that made him, making King George V Playing Fields a really brilliant place for all of us to be proud of and use.”

Preparations for a pre-application for planning to Liverpool City Council, Knowsley Council and the Department for Education are well underway and will be submitted imminently. The proposals are being developed through Box to Box, a venture backed by Gerrard and The Steven Gerrard Academy.  

The new facilities will create opportunities for schools, community organisations and sports clubs to use high-quality facilities closer to home, helping to increase participation and encourage more young people to take part in physical activity.

Subject to planning and the necessary approvals, the schemes would represent a significant investment in sporting infrastructure across the Liverpool City Region. Further details of the proposals, including the anticipated investment, timescales and delivery programme, will be unveiled as the plans progress.