Tamworth Manor students celebrated the official opening of their school’s new all weather pitch on Friday 24 June.

Following an official opening by the Deputy Mayor of Merton, Councillor Peter Southgate, students spent the day with professional sports coaches like John Shaw (who had over 100 caps for Great Britain) and spent the day using the full range of sports facilities available to practice hockey, tennis, football and basketball.

About 100 local residents joined in the celebrations later in the day with a five-a-side tournament on the pitch, which is also available for out-of-hours public use.

Funding for the facility was provided by the Big Lottery Fund, which aims to improve physical education and sport in schools and provide better opportunities to increase the level of physical activity among the wider community.

A full size all weather pitch has also been provided to Mitcham Vale school through the programme. Building work was completed in January and both schools are already seeing an improvement in the quality of PE and sport they are now able to offer.

Both facilities are available for hire Monday to Friday and weekends. For more information or to book, call 020 8623 1000.

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Notes to editor: Big Lottery Fund is the joint operating name of the New Opportunities Fund and the National Lottery Charities Board and was launched on 1 June 2004. The two merged funds have so far committed more than £5 billion to initiatives with national, regional and local partners focusing on disadvantage.