A new 3G pitch at Olchfa School is already proving a game changer for pupils and the wider community.
Swansea Council and the school’s governors identified a parcel of land that was surplus to requirements and it was sold to help fund the £1.6m investment, with money also coming from the Welsh Government’s Community Focused Schools programme.
Olchfa headteacher Julian Kennedy said: “We are delighted that, through partnership working with the local authority and Welsh Government, we have been able to make such significant improvement in the facilities we can offer to our young people.
“As well as transforming how we can deliver lessons across the school day and for teams, the 3G pitch is hugely beneficial for our local community.
“Evening and weekend sessions are almost fully subscribed, helping us fulfil our vision of being a school firmly rooted in, and helping to shape, that community. Our thanks go to everyone who helped to make that happen.”
Chris Jones from Dunvant and Three Crosses AFC said: “The players have benefited greatly from the use of the 3G field at Olchfa School.
“They are extremely privileged to have the opportunity to develop their footballing education on such high quality FIFA approved facilities.
“It’s fantastic that Olchfa are looking after their local community, by giving opportunities to the local children outside of school hours.”
In addition to the new all-weather pitch the school continues to have grass football and rugby fields.
Officially opening the pitch this week, Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said it was yet another major investment in school and community sports facilities in Swansea.
He added: “Swansea Council has already helped to deliver all-weather pitches at Penyrheol, Morriston, Pentrehafod, Pontarddulais and Dylan Thomas secondary schools, a new indoor sports barn with pitch is now in use at Cefn Hengoed Community School and we have supported the new all-weather pitch and improved sports facilities at Underhill Park in Mumbles.”
Council Cabinet Member for Education and Learning, Robert Smith, added: “It’s really pleasing to hear that this fantastic all-weather pitch at Olchfa is being used so much by the school and by the wider community.
“When the weather has been as poor as it has been this winter it’s really important that our young people still have access to sports and leisure activities for their health and wellbeing.”
