Booking an outdoor sports pitch in the borough will be even easier with the introduction of the new Open Play system on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s website.

The online service has been launched ahead of the new football season and allows customers to book football pitches, rugby pitches, athletics track and field, netball courts, Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGA) and cricket pitches, at various locations within the borough. The system does not allow for Astroturf bookings as there is limited availability.

Sports groups will be asked to pay in advance and any cancellations made within the timescale will receive a voucher credit.

Cabinet Member for Borough Development and Improvement Cllr Rebecca Bean said: “Bringing the sports facility booking system online will make it more convenient for our customers to book a pitch.

“The majority of the people running local teams or clubs are volunteers with busy lives, this online system allows them to book at a time that suits them and receive confirmation straight away.

“Speeding up processes and improving customer access to services is a key part of making our council as open and helpful as possible to the residents we serve. By making our services and processes more efficient through new technology, we can maintain high quality frontline services and keep council tax low.”

To access the booking system or to obtain more information about the borough’s sports facilities, go to https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/hire-sports-facilities