Redcar and Cleveland College’s new 3G pitch launches in Redcar

It is kick-off time at Redcar and Cleveland College (@RedcarCollege), with the official launch of a new 3G football pitch.

And proceedings got off to a bright start with former Boro defender and Redcar lad David Wheater cutting the ribbon, with players from Whitby Town Football Club’s first team taking to the field for the inaugural kickabout.

The all-weather pitch will now provide the ideal training facility for the college’s students and young people, and will serve the wider community in a move to help increase sports participation.

“It’s fantastic to see the results in place, of what has been a massive team effort,” said College Principal, Jason Faulkner.

“Thanks to the support of our partners, this will be a great asset to the college and the surrounding communities.”

The 106m by 70m floodlit pitch is the result of a partnership between the college, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and the Sir William Turner Foundation, with additional support from Redcar Town and Redcar Athletic football clubs.

The college worked with the County FA to help secure a £467,000 grant from the Football Foundation, the Premier League, the FA and government’s charity that helps communities improve their local football facilities.

The state-of-the-art playing surface will now provide further development opportunities not just for the college and its young players but also for grassroots clubs and their members.

Officially launching the pitch, Wheater said:

“I’m so delighted to open this pitch, being a local lad, I spent my first 23 years living in Redcar. Seeing this in the area is fantastic, if it was here when I was younger I would have been here every day.

“It will help the community out and the kids will love it, it’s great for everyone in the area.”

The 3G pitch is the latest investment at Redcar and Cleveland College. It has already proven a key factor in the development of the college’s exciting new football academy in partnership with Whitby Town Football Club, offering talented young players, aged 16 to 18, the chance to build their skills on the pitch, while studying a full-time course.

Working to improve opportunities for young people across Redcar and Cleveland who choose to study locally, College Principal Jason said: “We want to offer our students access to quality education in an environment that will both motivate and inspire them.

“We are excited by the opportunities the football pitch is already opening up. It’s great to know we are helping to meet the demand for a playing surface of this standard in the local area.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:

“This is the latest example of investment from our partners, the Premier League, the FA, Government and Sport England, improving grass roots facilities across the country. This funding is enabling more people to enjoy the benefits of playing regular sport.”