WAKEFIELD TRINITY plan to turn a local sports facility into a “world-class training centre”.
The club have proposed to lease West Yorkshire Sports and Social Club in Sandal, about a mile south of the DIY Kitchens Stadium, from Wakefield Council.
Since taking ownership of Trinity in 2023, Matt Ellis has been looking for a new training base to follow fresh investment in the stadium, staff and playing squad.
Wakefield do much of their training at historic Belle Vue but also utilise other venues including the home of Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC in Fitzwilliam.
The Sandal facility currently boasts three football pitches alongside tennis courts and bowling greens, and Trinity intend to develop the site – which was almost sold for housing several years ago – for their needs while keeping it available for wider community use.
Ellis said: “Having a world-class training centre for Wakefield Trinity is part of the strategic vision for this great club and is critical to the club’s growth both on and off the pitch.
“This new facility will benefit all our teams, covering men’s, women’s, youth and inclusion teams.
“Through our Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation, it will enable us to deliver rugby league and many other sports into the community, whilst also providing new and improved sporting facilities for community use, which include the existing teams and usage.
“This is an extremely exciting time for Wakefield Trinity, our loyal fans, and the district, and whilst there is a long way to go, it’s great news for all concerned that we are now at this point in the process, and we welcome the support of the council and residents in progressing to the next stages.”
Trinity will next submit a planning application which, if approved, will lead to a lease agreement with Wakefield Council.
Local authority leader Denise Jeffery said: “The proposal from Wakefield Trinity is a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into the site and aligns to Trinity’s ambition to maintain its status as a top-tier Super League club, which is great news to their supporters and our city.
“It also secures the site’s future for our residents, ensuring it remains a community and sporting facility in years to come.”