An artificial football pitch is one of several new facilities planned at a Kent school following a £1.2 million grant from some of the UK’s biggest sporting organisations.
The FA, Premier League and the UK’s largest sports charity – the Football Foundation – have joined forces to grant the money to Dover Christ Church Academy (DCCA).
It comes after the Melbourne Avenue school, which caters for 815 pupils aged 11 to 18, saw its application approved by Dover District Council (DDC) for a new 1.5-acre artificial grass pitch (AGP).
This was alongside six floodlights, a new access path within the grounds and the refurbishment of the school’s two existing netball courts.
DDCA is run by multi-academy provider Turner Schools Trust and its CEO, Seamus Murphy, believes the money will be “transformative” to the institution.
He said: “At Turner Schools, we are dedicated to providing our students with a rich and varied school experience.
“This latest investment in Dover Christ Church Academy will be transformational for both the school and the local community, broadening access to sport and enriching lives.
“It’s a fantastic example of what can be achieved for schools through effective partnerships and shared ambitions.”
The £1.2m project is being funded by a host of local organisations, including grassroots clubs Whitfield Juniors and Dover Athletic Youth, plus DDC and the trust itself.
Of this figure, £942,281 is being generated from The FA, Premier League and Football Foundation.
The facilities will be used by DCCA students during the day and made available for use by community teams during evenings, weekends and holidays.
With construction set to get underway this spring, DDCA’s principal, Manj Nijjer, insists the grant will provide his students with several benefits.
He said: “This is fantastic news for both our students and the wider community.
“At Dover Christ Church Academy, we understand how vital sport is for building teamwork, resilience, and wellbeing.
“These state-of-the-art facilities will enable even more of our students, including our newly formed girls’ football team, to enjoy the benefits of sport all year round.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone involved in making this project a reality, and we can’t wait to see our students thriving on the pitch.”
Recognised as all-year playing surfaces, artificial football pitches are popular with many football clubs in the lower leagues of England’s football pyramid as they are able to withstand various weather conditions.
