October 18, 2024

Leicester City footballer officially opens new 3G sports pitch

We were delighted to welcome Leicester City and Republic of Ireland midfielder Kasey McAteer to our school on Thursday 17th October, where he officially opened the new 3G sports pitch.

In front of pupils, parents/carers, players/coaches from the partner football clubs – Birstall United Juniors, Mountsorrel Juniors and East Goscote United – teachers, governors and local councillors, Kasey cut the ribbon to formally open this fantastic new facility, which has been 15 years in the making.

After receiving a funding grant from the Premier League, the Football Association (FA) and the Government via its Football Foundation, work on the pitch began in March 2024 and was finished in late July 2024, thanks to a phenomenal effort from the Premises and Estates teams at both The Cedars Academy and Lionheart Educational Trust. Their hard work ensured that the impressive facility was ready in time for the new academic year, with pupils already enjoying the opportunity to use it in PE lessons and extracurricular activities.

The pitch – which can be used as either one full-sized pitch, two seven-a-side pitches or four five-a-side pitches – also represents a fantastic resource for Birstall. Partner football clubs have already started using it for winter training, while local community members have also enjoyed booking playing slots, with the pitch open from 5:30pm – 10pm on weekdays and 8:30am – 4:30pm on weekends.

“We are incredibly proud to see the completion of this long-awaited 3G pitch, which represents a huge step forward for both The Cedars Academy and our wider community,” said Associate Principal of The Cedars Academy, Mr Rolfe.

“This facility is not only a fantastic asset for our students, enriching their PE and extracurricular experiences, but it also provides a vital resource for local sports teams and residents.”

"It is a testament to our commitment to providing the best possible opportunities for our students.”

After the ribbon cutting, a collection of Cedars pupils enjoyed playing a small-sided football match, before posing for a commemorative photo with Kasey and Mr Rolfe, who held up an iPad with the message “Hi Mo,” a tribute to former PE teacher Mr Khan, who worked hard to ensure this resource became a reality.