A BRAND new all-weather 3G football pitch which has been built on a school's grounds but will be open to the local community too is open for action.
Moulsham High School held a Football Tournament and Family Fun Day to celebrate the completion of its new £325,000 facility. And to add to the excitement the school has been given the go-ahead to build a new sports pavilion close to the pitch.
The Fun Day included tournaments between the school's partner club youth teams – Galleywood Youth FC, Writtle Minors and Springfield Juniors – as well as teams made up of former Moulsham students competing against the school's staff and partner club veterans versus celebrity ex-players from Chelsea.
Mark Farmer, head teacher, said: "We look forward to supporting the development of local talent and local clubs and building on our relationships with all our hirers. We would like to thank the Football Foundation, Essex FA, the local community and the local clubs that have supported the school from the initial planning stages through to the completion of the new pitches."
The flood-lit pitch is constructed from third generation synthetic grass composed of quartz sand and rubber granules. It has been scientifically developed to be durable, safe and impact absorbent.
The school's pupils are impressed. Imogen Riches, 15, said: "It's great. We can now train all year round and really improve as a team."
Classmate Hannah Mold, 15, said: "I think it is really nice to have something like this to use for training and matches."
The pitch's layout allows the full-size pitch to be utilised for 11- and 9-a-side matches or three smaller pitches that can be separated by netting for 7-a-side matches and training sessions.
A viewing area has been provided alongside the pitch and work on the new sports pavilion building is scheduled to start before the end of the year.
