Page 10 • The HERALD • 3rd April 2025 v F @heraldpublishing v BCMS BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE SERVICES All small, local works undertaken in the Waterside area, subject to availability. Competitive quotations and rates, together with friendly service and advice. Call Mark: 07913 145994 Leave a message or email: bcms.29@icloud.com All aspects of Plastering & General Decorating Covered Free Quotations Fully Insured Mobile 07941 255335 Phone: 023 8089 8324 parkesij@yahoo.co.uk www.ijs4plastering.co.uk Independent Jewellers established in 1993 vvvvvv Local experts in jewellery, watches, luxury gifts and services and repairs We buy unwanted jewellery and scrap gold and silver Visit our shop at 10-11 The Marsh, Hythe, Southampton SO45 6AN amberleyjewellers.co.uk New Community 3G Pitch Opens at Testwood School A new, state-of-the-art 3G sports pitch at Testwood School in Totton has been o cially opened by former student Aaron Phipps MBE, a Paralympic gold medallist, with former Saints FC and England player Louise Gardner, nee Cross, kicking the rst ball on the new facility. With funding from the Premier League, e FA and the Government’s Football Foundation, the surface will help turbocharge women’s and girls’ football. e community asset, which cost around £750,000 and meets World Rugby compliance standards, will also be available for local rugby club Tottonians to train on. Furthermore, two new arti cial cricket pitches at the school will give local cricket clubs Totton and Eling, and Calmore, a new place to play and practise. e 3G pitch was opened by Aaron Phipps – a Paralympic gold medallist in wheelchair rugby – who cut the ribbon during a day of sport and celebration. He said: “Sport changed my life as a disabled athlete, and this is a fantastic facility which can be used in all weathers for a huge number of sports. It will hopefully change the lives of many who use it over the years to come.” e pitch is one of at least 30 set to bene t from e Lionesses Futures Fund – a £30 million cash injection from the Government and e FA delivered by the Football Foundation. It celebrates England women roaring to victory at the 2022 UEFA EUROs as well as their achievement of making the nal at FIFA World Cup 2023 and will help meet the growing demand for women’s and girls’ football. Since the Lionesses li ed the trophy in 2022, 68,000 more girls are playing football than before the tournament. Too often, badly lit pitches, unsuitable changing facilities and late-night kick-o times put women and girls o taking to the pitch. Like every Lionesses Futures Fund site, the new pitch will prioritise access for women and girls through reserved peak-time slots. It will also increase the provision of disabilities football and participation for those from lower-socio economic groups. Louise Gardner who kicked the rst ball on the pitch and played for Saints and England in the 1970’s said: “I would have loved to have played on pitches like this when I was young. It was great fun to kick the ball and I hope everyone using the pitch enjoys sport as much as I did.” e pitch has replaced a previous one that was 18 years old, exceeding its expected lifespan by more than double and no longer meeting FA standards for hosting xtures. e project has also been supported with additional funding from New Forest District Council and from partner organisations such as Pace Youth FC. James Cross, Community Facilities Manager at Testwood School, said: “The redevelopment of the new 3G Artificial Turf Pitch (ATP) and the installation of two new artificial cricket pitches marks a transformative step forward for our community. This state-of-the-art facility will not only enhance sporting opportunities but also foster inclusivity, particularly for women and girls, offering them a space to thrive and play at the highest level. The partnership with local clubs such as Pace Youth FC, Tottonians Rugby FC, Totton and Eling Cricket Former Saints FC and England left winger Louise Gardner, nee Cross, kicks the first ball on the new 3G pitch at Testwood School in Totton, with Headteacher Tim Webber and Parlympic disabled athlete Aaron Phipps cheering her on Continued on page 11
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