A new £945,000 football facility, which will have a transformative impact on physical and mental health, has officially opened at a south Essex school.
The Deanes School, in Thundersley, has opened a new 3G football pitch facility after a £945,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
Bosses describe how the facility will make a huge different to students, community clubs, and the area in general.
The pitch was opened by head students Ruby Avery and Tabitha Roberts, alongside Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris and the Mayor of Castle Point, Lyndsey McCarthy-Calvert.
Guests from the school and football community, including partner clubs Hadleigh Youth Football Club, Thundersley Rovers, and Leigh Lionesses, were also in attendance.
They were given a tour of the new facility and saw it in use by the Southend United Youth Team.
Steve Bish, Castle Point and Rochford school sports partnership manager, said: "Deanes has been a sporting hub for the community for many years and this new 3G facility will make a huge difference to students, community clubs and the local area in general.
"We are all very excited about the opportunities this new facility will bring and the part it will play in helping our local community to lead active and healthy lives.
"I would like to thank our partners in the Football Foundation and Essex FA for making this ambition a reality."
The new facility also hosts a Boot Bank, where people can borrow football boots if they do not have their own.
This project was made possible thanks to a £945,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA, and the Government’s Football Foundation.
The Essex Football Association also supported the project by preparing an effective business case and football development plan.
Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "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.
"We are delighted that the local community in Castle Point will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the new facilities at The Deanes School."
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