Monday 14 March 2011 saw the FA’s new Chairman, David Bernstein, officially open a new third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch at the ARK Academy, Wembley.
The pitch, which was made possible thanks to a Football Foundation grant of £229,136, whichwill assist with the delivery of ARK Academy’s commitment to provide an extensive range of curriculum sports, help cater for after school programmes and facilitate a comprehensive community use timetable.
the Fa's director of football development, Sir Trevor brooking officially opens two new facilites in Derby
Wednesday 30 March 2011. The first facility Sir Trevor’s opened was at Kirk Hallam Community Technology College in Ilkeston. Sir Trevor opened a new 3rd generation (3G) artificial grass pitch, a Football Foundation grant of £314,300 made the development possible.
The second opening was of the Racecourse and Alvaston community facilities in Derwent. This time the Foundation’s investment, £777,718, manifested itself in the form of a new changing room pavilion. The building will serve as a community hub of sporting and social activity.
former Southampton manager and England assistant manager, Lawrie McMenemy MBE helped celebrate the opening of a new artificial grass pitch.
Friday 25 March 2011. Lawrie McMenemy opened the new facility at Robert May’s School in Oldham.
Before cutting the ribbon to declare the pitch officially open, McMenemy spoke at length to the gathered crowd drawing on his own experiences in football to inspire the many young sports people in attendance. He also spent giving autographs, presenting trophies and offering encouragement to the pupils.
The new development is already proving to be an enormous asset to both the school and local community. Not only has it allowed Robert May’s to develop its extensive sporting provision for over 1200 students but local community teams have also begun using it extensively for the training of their teams.
