A SECONDARY school in Denton has scored big as its goal to build a new 3G football pitch on its grounds has been boosted by a £712,000 grant.
St Thomas More RC College, together with Tameside Council, have been awarded the significant funding by the Premier League, the Football Association (FA) and the Government’s Football Foundation.
It will enable the construction of an 11-a-side artificial surface pitch with perimeter fencing, hardstanding areas, a storage container and floodlights.
The project has also been supported by an additional £120,000 from the local authority and £80,000 contributed by the school, which has approximately 800 students.
The school says the construction of the pitch will “allow improved access to excellent sporting facilities for the students at the school and for a variety of community organisations and grassroots sporting clubs”.
It adds that the new facilities will also “improve access to football matches and training facilities for all age groups including underrepresented groups” and will be “a significant boost to the mission to improve access and provision for female football in Manchester and the surrounding areas”.
The site will be used by the school, other local secondary schools and primary schools, community organisations such as the new Manchester FA Women’s and Girl’s League, and local grassroots football teams.
Among those who have expressed an interest in using the facilities are Mossley Juniors Girls FC, Denton Youth FC, West End JFC, Haughton Green JFC, Denton Phoenix FC, Reddish Vulcans FC, and Stalybridge Celtic FC.
The school’s head teacher says the “huge investment” will “benefit both our school students and the local community for many years to come”.
Huw Brophy added: “The school staff have been working hard behind the scenes for many years to secure outstanding sporting facilities on the school site and we are all so pleased that the dream of having access to a superb all weather 3G facility has finally come true.
“We are looking forward to construction starting and I know the students will be so excited to watch the build progress, it will be a great moment when the students can first start to use the new pitch and when it can start to be used by local community groups.
“The school would like to say thank you to the Football Foundation and its partners.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, commented: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“This grant award to St Thomas More RC College and Tameside Council towards developing this football 3G pitch is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”