Five of the six latest pitch transformations have been made possible through joint investment from Manchester City Council and Manchester City’s official charity, City in the Community (CITC).
Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs) at Aquarius Centre in Hulme, Brookdale Park in Miles Platting and Newton Heath, Clayton Park in Clayton and Openshaw, Harpurhey Park and Nuthurst Park in Moston have all undergone significant regeneration.
The five sites were selected following collaboration with Manchester City Council, using local insight and data to identify areas where investment in accessible community sports provision could have the greatest impact.
All five facilities are free to access, helping to create safe, welcoming spaces where local people can enjoy football and physical activity close to home.
The regenerations form part of CITC’s ‘Healthy Goals’ initiative, which launched in 2023 and aims to uplift the physical and mental health of young people by creating and regenerating community football spaces across Greater Manchester.
The latest openings mean City in the Community has now invested £1.25million into spaces to play through Healthy Goals, alongside supporters of the initiative.
As with all Healthy Goals regenerations, local young people have played an important role in shaping the new facilities.
Schoolchildren from communities surrounding each site were invited to develop ideas for bespoke centre-circle artwork, helping to ensure the finished pitches reflect the people and places they have been created for.
One of the five new spaces, Clayton Park, also provides a lasting community legacy celebrating Manchester City Women’s title-winning 2025/26 campaign.
Located close to the team’s training facility at the City Football Academy, the pitch was designed in collaboration with local schoolgirls from The East Manchester Academy, drawing inspiration from the team’s Barclays Women’s Super League success and the togetherness that underpinned their triumphant season.
The centre-circle incorporates ideas developed by the schoolgirls alongside City players, while the wider pitch celebrates the team’s achievements and aims to inspire the next generation of local girls.
This summer’s Healthy Goals programme has also been supported by Manchester City partner C.P. Company, whose three-year partnership contributed towards one of CITC’s six community pitch regenerations.
Alongside the physical transformations, City in the Community will continue to work within the local communities surrounding the new sites, providing activity and programming designed to encourage people to make use of the facilities and support sustained participation.
Michael Geary, Chief Executive Officer at City in the Community, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see these five fantastic community spaces now open and ready for local people to enjoy.
“Healthy Goals has always been about much more than transforming the physical facilities. We want local communities to feel genuine ownership of these spaces, which is why involving young people in their design and providing opportunities to get active once the work is complete are such important parts of the initiative.
“We’re hugely grateful to Manchester City Council, City Football Group and C.P. Company for helping us bring these latest regenerations to life.
“Reaching £1.25million of investment through Healthy Goals is an important milestone, but the real impact will be seeing children, young people and families enjoying these spaces for years to come.”
Councillor Shazia Butt, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Libraries, said: “Manchester City Council are committed to ensuring that everyone in Manchester has access to high-quality places to be active close to home, regardless of where they live.
“This partnership with City in the Community is a fantastic example of organisations working together to invest in neighbourhood facilities that local people can use free of charge.
“These improvements will transform important community spaces and create more opportunities for children, young people and residents of all ages to get active, connect with others and enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity.”
Healthy Goals was first launched in May 2023 and has since transformed community football spaces across Greater Manchester, with previous sites including Scotland Hall Road, Ladybarn Park, Ravensbury Community School, St Wilfrid’s C.E. Primary School, Ashbury Meadow Community Primary School, Southern Cross School, Holy Name RC Primary School and Bradford Park.
City in the Community exists to empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
For more information about City in the Community, visit mancity.com/CITC or follow @citcmancity on social media.
