Wreake Valley Academy – new 3G AGP

On Tuesday 6th September 2016, Football Foundation Ambassador and former Leicester City FC striker, Dion Dublin was in Syston to open a new £567,000 third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch (AGP).

The state-of-the-art pitch was made possible thanks to a £350,740 grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, which is delivered by the Football Foundation.

Through this project, the Academy has worked in close partnership with the Football Foundation and Leicestershire County FA to develop a five-year Football Development Plan (FDP) – a long term vision for how sport will be played at the new facility. This Plan projects a rise in the number of affiliated teams from 14 to 69 and increase in participation at the site of 245%.

The new floodlit 3G AGP will not only be used extensively by the school's pupils but also by a number of grassroots football clubs including Syston Town JFC, Riverside FC and Leicester City Ladies FC.

Andy Winter, Academy Business Manager, said "We are very grateful to the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, Leicestershire County Council, Charnwood Borough Council and Syston Town Council for their financial contributions towards this project, which will now enable us to provide enhanced playing facilities as well as delivering great player development and coaching opportunities to improve grass roots football in Syston."