OSFC Sports Campus - A Student Article

This article was written by Year 13 Student, Ellie Higginbottom.

On the 10th of October 2025, Jim McMahon MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton formally opened the brand new OSFC Sports Campus at Chapel Road after a hard-earned 7 years eventually leading to triumph. 

The start of this process happened when Oldham Sixth Form College (OSFC) first took interest in Chapel Road in 2018 after struggling to find appropriate sports facilities for the various teams to play at. Venues were always rented out, leaving them facing the challenge of being outbid. This is when it became apparent a permanent place was needed. Chapel Road became a point of interest after being shut down in 2016 and was left unused and needing to be renovated. OSFC proposed the idea to local communities including the local primary school St Margaret's and the church explaining how the renovation of Chapel Road could benefit everyone as it would be accessible for anybody to use. 

This received extremely positive feedback from the entire community and led to 100s of written letters supporting the idea. Everything was looking hopeful for an agreement to start renovation however, this was turned down swiftly by the council due to being ‘ambiguous’ therefore it was back to square one.

So again, a twelve-month bidding process began. OSFC reproposed their intention to the council and got even more support this time around from various local communities. All was leading to a positive outcome until COVID-19 hit and due to the restrictions and lockdown this got pushed back even further.

After over twelve months of barriers due to coronavirus regulations, OSFC took a third attempt to receive permission to start renovations. Finally, this was accepted and the last challenge was to gain approval from the cabinet in London. This was sent off and took quite a while to receive approval. Thankfully this was accepted and the long-awaited renovations began at the beginning of the calendar year.

Now in 2025, the new sports campus is fully open for multiple uses. The main purpose is a venue for the sports teams to have a comfortable environment used for training sessions and matches on the full sized 4G pitch. Within the sports campus there are also classrooms where students can spend the full day there having theory lessons as well as practical in the same area. Currently, from 5 PM onwards the facility is rented out to teams such as Oldham rugby team and various local football teams. St Margaret's Primary School also have the opportunity to use the venue as they have a timeslot per week for the children to play and have P.E sessions. With a current occupancy of 65% just a few weeks after opening, the college anticipates this growing and reaching its full potential.

Speaking to Jim McMahon MP, he expressed how vital a sports campus like this is for Oldham and the younger generation as it can create exciting opportunities for students to be able to take part in sports they have a thriving passion for. Being from Oldham himself he explained how he would drive past Chapel Road most days and it is now refreshing to see such an amazing use for the area.

Pictured: Ellie Higginbottom (L) interviews Jim McMahon MP (R)