A secondary school has celebrated its new flood-lit 3G football pitch which was made possible by a £700,000 grant from the Premier League, FA and the government.

Kings Langley School's 1,087 pupils, local football clubs and the community can now enjoy the new facility after it was opened by the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire last Friday (September 20).

The all-weather pitch replaced the previous grass facilities which the school said were of “poor quality” and regularly waterlogged, restricting their usage time.

The new all-weather pitch.The new all-weather pitch. (Image: Kings Langley School) It also now features floodlights which will allow it to be used for longer periods during autumn and winter.

Deputy head Diane Bell said: “It’s wonderful to celebrate the completion of this project, a big thank you to everyone who’s helped to make it happen. The positive impact on both our students and the wider community will be felt for years to come.”

The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire opened the new pitch last Friday alongside MP Gagan Mohindra.The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire opened the new pitch last Friday alongside MP Gagan Mohindra. (Image: Hertfordshire FA)

The open ceremony was also attended by South West Herts MP Gagan Mohindra, headteacher Dave Fisher, former head Gary Lewis, Cllr Richard Roberts and Steve Maker from the Hertfordshire FA.

The project was made possible by a £708,711 grant from the Football Foundation, encompassing the Premier League, FA and the government, as well as £290,000 from Kings Langley School, and partner clubs Kings Langley Football Club and Chipperfield Corinthians Youth Football Club.

Donations from Kings Langley Parish Council and the Dacorum Locality Budget Scheme were also used for the project.

It features markings for 5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 football, making it a “very versatile addition” to the school’s facilities, according to the Hertfordshire FA.

Chipperfield Corinthians Youth players with The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.Chipperfield Corinthians Youth players with The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire. (Image: Kings Langley School) Partner clubs Kings Langley Youth FC, Chipperfield Corinthians Youth and Watford FC CSE Trust will use it for training and playing matches, while the community can book it for private use.

The new pitch will also allow the school to provide a Football Development Programme to help local clubs increase the number of female teams they operate and provide more opportunities for players with a disability.

Watford FC CSE Trust players with The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.Watford FC CSE Trust players with The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire. (Image: Kings Langley School) Hertfordshire FA head of football development Steve Maker said: “Football sits at the heart of so many of our communities, bringing people together and delivering real benefits to mental and physical health.

Partner clubs Kings Langley Youth FC, Chipperfield Corinthians Youth and Watford FC CSE Trust will use it for training and playing matches..Partner clubs Kings Langley Youth FC, Chipperfield Corinthians Youth and Watford FC CSE Trust will use the pitch for training and playing matches. (Image: Hertfordshire FA) “We look forward to the opening of a high-quality facility in Kings Langley that will help unlock even more opportunities for local people to get involved in football, be active and provide opportunities to support the students and local communities’ health and wellbeing.”