Press Release
2 November 2009
ShenfieldHigh School working with Key Partner Hutton FC score with Football Foundation grant
Footballers in Shenfield and Hutton were celebrating today following a £689,333 grant awarded by the Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity. Essex County Council, Brentwood Borough Council, Local Businesses and Parents of Shenfield High School students have all contributed to raise an amazing total of £1.3million.
The funding boost will allow Shenfield High Schooltoprovide a Floodlit Artificial Grass Pitch that will enable a considerably extended playing year, supported by a well equipped Pavilion, meeting the huge demand for football in the local area. With skills development and training of both referees and coaches forming major features in the development plan we are assured of raising the standards of play in the locality. However, participation is a major issue in maintaining a progression from school to club that keeps young people in sport for both enjoyment and considerable health benefits.
The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity with a £40m budget going straight into the heart of football.
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation said:“We warmly congratulate the school, club and the local FA for their hard work and dedication in securing this award.
“Sport is playing a central role in helping people to stay fit, strengthen communities and promote responsibility amongst young people. This new project in Shenfieldis but one example of thousands across the country that the Football Foundation is supporting with money provided by our funding partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government.”
MartynHanton [Principal Officer: Environment] at ShenfieldHigh School said:
This great result is the culmination of 2 years planning and hard work that makes it possible to significantly improve sports provision for both the school and the community. Success is the result of an excellent relationship with our Key Partner, Hutton Football Club and the enthusiasm of the school’s “Premier division” PE Department. We want to thank the local and national Football Association officers for their advice, encouragement and support and all who have contributed to the project, notably EssexCounty Council. Parents (past and present), local businesses and Brentwood Borough Council have dug deep into their pockets at a time of very real financial constraint. The “supporters club” has been fantastic and now that they can see the construction underway, are clearly excited about using the floodlit Artificial Grass Pitch and the brand new pavilion. As a “HealthySchool” with an outstanding sporting tradition we can’t wait to get playing.
Hutton FC are delighted with the development of the facility. The Club has been working hard for the past few years to obtain qualityfacilities to match it's ambitions.
The partnership with ShenfieldSchool has been very positive in this respect.