A new 3G pitch was officially opened in north London this week, thanks to a £220,000 grant from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund and delivered by the Football Foundation.
The new £470,000 floodlit artificial pitch at Woodhouse College sixth form in Finchley was unveiled by Sky Sports presenter Hayley McQueen, performing her first visit as an Ambassador for the Football Foundation.
And Hayley marked the opening by unveiling a ceremonial plaque before taking time to talk to the pupils about her career as a sports broadcaster and her love for the grassroots game.
"Today was a fantastic event, it was such a pleasure to be able to officially open Woodhouse College’s stunning new playing surface," said Hayley.
New Football Foundation ambassador Hayley McQueen was at Woodhouse College in Finchley to open a new 3G pitch
"You could see from the smiles on the students’ faces what a difference having nice sports facilities like this makes.
"I’m particularly pleased at how it will support the women’s game with girls’ football drop-in sessions and a competitive girls’ league being catered for at the site.
"I’m very fortunate to work in the industry I do because it affords me the chance to report on the stars at the top of the game. But we mustn’t forget where it all starts, and where the next generation of young stars will come from – the grassroots.
"Thousands of local people are going to enjoy playing sports this facility. Who knows, maybe some of them will go on to make it as professionals and I’ll be reporting on them one day too!
"But it doesn’t stop at the school gates. It’s going to be used extensively by the wider community too."
The new surface replaces an old sand-dressed pitch, which had become so worn it was no longer fit for use.
And the Football Foundation worked with Woodhouse College and Middlesex FA to produce a five-year Football Development Plan (FDP). The FDP outlines a vision for how the facility will benefit the community in years to come and how football will be delivered at the site, with an emphasis on increasing participation.
The pitch will be used by students at the college, as well as the main partner clubs AC Finchley FC (24 teams), Oakhill Tigers FC (ten teams), Alexandra Park Youth FC (30 teams), Olympiacos Youth FC (nine teams), Whetstone Wanderers FC (36 teams) and Old Woodhouseians FC (eight teams).
The Plan also foresees the creation of an additional 13 male, female and disabled teams. Specifically, AC Finchley FC and Whetstone Wanderers FC will work alongside the college and Middlesex FA to provide opportunities for Under-12 and Under-16 disabled teams to train on the new pitch.
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “I am delighted that a grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund has enabled Woodhouse College to upgrade their 3G pitch. This development will provide a real boost to sport in the local area.
"Since 2000, the Football Foundation has supported grassroots projects worth more than £1.3bn, investing into areas where the need is greatest and where it will have the biggest impact in terms of getting more people playing football and a wide range of other sports."
