Premiership football star to open all weather sports pitch

Added: 30/04/2008
Category: Norfolk County Council

England footballer Matthew Upson will be in Loddon next week to celebrate the official opening of Hobart High School's new £454,000 all-weather sports pitch.

The West Ham and England defender will open the pitch at 1.30pm on Wednesday 30 April and will then hold a coaching session for students.

His sister, Hayley Upson, is a PE teacher at the school and both grew up in the area, with Matthew a former student at Diss High School.

The project has been led by Norfolk County Council, with support from Loddon Parish Council and South Norfolk District Council. South Norfolk Council contributed £215,000 towards the building of the pitch.

It means students, and the local community, can now benefit from first-class sports facilities, whatever the weather. The pitch shares changing and parking facilities with the school's new sports hall and together they provide a state-of-the-art centre for community sport and leisure activities.

John Robson, headteacher at Hobart High School, said: “This pitch is just the latest addition to our sports facilities, which we are keen to share with the local community.

This pitch will be of real benefit to our students, in developing their sports skills and ensuring they can play a range of sports throughout the year.

We are delighted that Matthew Upson has agreed to open the pitch as he is from the local area and his success can act as a real inspiration to our students.”

The pitch is an important addition to the £5m development project at the school, which was completed last year and opened by the Duke of Gloucester. The overall development has supported the increase in the school's capacity brought about by the reorganisation of schools in the area.

The main contractor was G T Thornton and John Cadman, former England hockey player, provided advice throughout the project as a recognised expert on all weather surfaces.

Rosalie Monbiot, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: “This is a fantastic example of partnership working. Norfolk County Council has worked with the school, district council and parish council, as well as the builders and advisers, to get this project off the ground and I am confident that this pitch will be of huge benefit to students, and the wider community.

“This pitch will give young people the chance to get active and hone their sports skills - who knows we may even discover another Matthew Upson among them.”

John Fuller, South Norfolk Council Leader, said: “It's no good complaining about youngsters becoming overweight and indulging in antisocial behaviour if you don't provide the facilities to help them live healthy lifestyles. So I'm delighted that we've been able to work with the County Council to fund this pitch that all residents will be able to enjoy.”