Guest Student Article: Game Changer for the East Marsh: The New 2G Pitches at Kent Street

In this special guest student article, Liliah from Franklin College, shares her thoughts on the official opening of the new 2G pitches at Kent Street and what it means to her and the local community.  

The sound of feet hitting fresh turf is echoing across Kent Street in Grimsby, and for once, it’s not the usual squelch of mud that follows. The brand-new 2G pitches, part of YMCA Humber’s ongoing work in the community, have finally opened — and they’re already transforming how young people connect, play, and belong.

For as long as I can remember, Kent Street has been a place most people just drove past. It’s always had a bit of history, but over the years it looked tired; the sort of spot you’d expect to be empty on an evening. Not anymore. Since YMCA Humber secured funding from the Football Foundation to redevelop the site, the pitches have come alive with local children and young people having a kick about after school, attending the youth club and also football teams training.

YMCA Humber has talked a lot about building healthier, happier communities, and this project feels like a real example of that in action. The new 2G surface means football and other sports can be played all year round, without worrying about the rain turning everything into sludge, or hurting yourself on a 20yr old surface. For many young people in Grimsby, that’s a big deal; it means they have somewhere safe to go and just be active.

I spoke to one young person who’s been attending the Kent Street site for the last couple of years. “It’s class,” she told me. “Before, we didn’t really have anywhere like this. The old pitch was bad, it got really slippery, and we couldn’t play on it when it was wet because it wasn’t safe. Now it feels great, like we’re playing somewhere that’s a proper pitch and it’s close to my home.”

The sense of pride in the area has definitely grown since the pitches opened. Teachers are already talking about booking them for school tournaments, and community coaches are planning sessions for girls’ teams and extending the youth club offer to include more sport. That’s exactly what YMCA Humber wanted, to create something that brings people together, not just in sport but in spirit.

I also spoke to Donna Chandler from YMCA Humber, who said, “Kent Street has always had a strong community heartbeat. These pitches are about keeping that alive, giving people a reason to come together, be active, and believe in what they can achieve.”

As a student who’s grown up in Grimsby, I think that message matters. We hear a lot about things being taken away, youth centres closing, clubs losing funding, places shutting down. But this feels different. It’s an investment into something, not out of it. It’s a reminder that sport isn’t just about competition — it’s about connection, confidence, and having somewhere you feel you belong.

Having Janet Goodwin, the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, officially open the new pitches brought a real buzz to this little corner of the East Marsh. She spoke about how she completely supports YMCA Humber’s belief that “everyone deserves to discover who they are and what they can become”, and how these new pitches will mean so much to the local community, with its free access time slots allowing everyone in the area to be part of this great opportunity”. 

It wasn’t just a ribbon-cutting moment — it felt like recognition. For years, this area has been overlooked, but seeing real investment, genuine collaboration between partners, and plans for the future gives people a reason to feel hopeful again. In a place that’s too often described as forgotten, Kent Street suddenly feels like it’s back on the map.

Standing on the edge of the new 2G pitch, watching kids kick a ball around as the sun goes down, it’s hard not to feel hopeful. It’s not just new turf; it’s a new start for Kent Street, and maybe, in a small way, for Grimsby too.

The YMCA aren’t resting on their laurels though, this very weekend, 15 of their team are running the York Marathon to raise funds for the youth provision down at Kent Street to extend the building to provide more safe space for young people to come and discover more about themselves and what they can become.

Follow their journey, and if you can donate, please do so here.

This guest article was written by Liliah, a student at Franklin College.

Great job Liliah. Thank you for covering our official opening.