© Foundry Agency

Former Premier League Referee, Chris Foy joined Michelle Hinnigan, captain of Everton Ladies FC and her first team coach, Andy Spence to officially open St John Bosco Arts College's new £1m third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch (AGP) and changing room pavilion recently (Friday 23rd September). Ian Hussin, a local Select Group Assistant Referee, also assisted proceedings as did Stacey McMahon, a sports tutor from the Liverpool FC Foundation College.

The state-of-the-art facility was made possible thanks to a £637,245 grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, which provides grants towards developing new or refurbished grassroots football facilities.

The grant has enabled St John Bosco Arts College to build a floodlit 3G AGP that will be used by a range of community groups and local primary schools. The funding also allowed the school to build a new changing room pavilion, comprising two team changing rooms; a large officials' changing area; spectator toilets; office space and plant storage.

In addition to Everton FC Centre of Excellence, several grassroots clubs including Richmond Raith Rovers, Red Rum FC and the Liverpool FC Foundation College also use the 3G pitch to deliver their Young Leaders and Football Futures programmes. Football Future helps to develop volunteers through practical sessions and workshops, while Young Leaders focuses on helping teenagers to build the necessary skills needed in later life.

Through this project, the school worked in close partnership with the Football Foundation and Liverpool FA to establish a five-year Football Development Plan (FDP) - a long-term vision for how sport will be played at the new facility - projected to increase female participation by over 40%. The FDP will also see a new 11v11 mid-week floodlit league established, with participants now able to enjoy the new facility throughout the winter months.

The Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund is funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government, via Sport England. It is delivered by the Football Foundation, the country's largest sports charity.

Darren Gidman, Head teacher, St John Bosco Arts College, said: "Thank you to Chris Foy for opening our new 3G pitch and changing pavilion. The new facilities at St John Bosco Arts College are a wonderful opportunity not only for the students at the college but for the wider community.

"The funding provided by the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund will encourage, develop and promote football for all with particular emphasis on developing football for girls and women. St John Bosco will provide a hub in the north of the city by improving grassroots football that offer top class facilities and opportunities."