AFL Architects have been appointed to design an education-focused football training centre in Shanghai – potentially one of several facilities being lined up for development in South China.

The Manchester-based architects have teamed up with the Shanghai-based Kehua Football Training & Development to complete the project, which will include an academy, technologically-advanced pitches and community facilities.

Talking exclusively to Sports Management, AFL director Phil Osborne said the firm was moving from the concept stage to the design stage of the project, with the first pitches expected to be laid by the end of April.

“We’re being asked to drive the process and we’re conducting various sessions around Shanghai,” said Osborne. “The design team is based in the UK and we’re in the process of meeting Chinese construction companies and liaising with a local architecture partner.”

Osborne revealed that good schooling within the academy was flagged as a primary priority by Kehua, which wants local people to “associate playing with learning”. As a consequence, AFL have designed “state-of-the-art” classrooms and lecture halls, as well as facilities for teachers to prepare educational plans.

Community facilities such as meeting rooms will be provided for local people, while plans for a 5,000 capacity stadium have been mooted, but not yet determined.

As well as presenting an opportunity to stimulate grassroots football in Shanghai, the facilities will be used to “provide a professional set-up” for European sides coming to tour. If the stadium is built within the facility, it is expected to be used by visiting teams and for exhibition matches.

The AFL director said that the partnership presented an opportunity to develop more projects as Kehua wanted “five to a dozen training facilities in South China alone”.

Osborne said that AFL first encountered its client during a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) event following the UK visit of Chinese president, Xi Jinping, in October last year. The move is one of a number signifying the growing importance of football to China. Earlier this week, the nation revealed its intention to bid for the 2023 Asian Cup, while two Chinese companies took a stake in Manchester City Football Club late last year.

Seperately, Osborne explained that AFL Architects’ merger with S&P did not complete as it was “difficult to get the companies to fit together”. The two companies joined forces in 2013, but both now operate independently and will “still collaborate on projects”.