15 Jan 2024
A long-running campaign to secure a 3G sports pitch at a Harpenden secondary school reached fruition with the official opening of the facility last week.
The Katherine Warington School Community Pitch was opened by special guests Mick Harford, the former Luton Town FC player, manager and ex-England international, Annie Brewster, who has worked at parish, district, and county council level for over 15 years, and Dr Tom Gilham, a local GP partner.
A collaboration between Katherine Warington School, Wheathampsted Wanderers, the Football Foundation and Watford FC Community, the new pitch will be enjoyed not only by KWS students but by the wider community for multiple sports all-year round.
Speaking at the ceremony, headteacher David Martin gave thanks for the dedication of school business manager Dean Inns and KWS founding headteacher Tony Smith as well as to the incredible contributions of the local community, who have worked tirelessly together to support the project and make it a reality.
Mick Harford said how sport changes lives for the better, and urged students to make the most of the pitch, adding: “Sport and exercise also brings people together especially when it’s introduced in your formative years, it builds relationships which last a lifetime.”
Annie said: “I am delighted the school, plus its wider community, now has access to this fantastic facility having originally campaigned for the school to have a 3G when it was built.”
She said she looks forward to working with the school in her new role as High Sherriff of Hertfordshire later in the year.
After the official cutting of the ribbon, some selected students were invited to take part in a penalty shootout with Mick Hartford.
Student Benjamin Mupita said: “It was amazing to be playing with Mick Harford. It was lots of fun and I really enjoyed myself.”
Isobel James added: “I enjoyed using the new astro to play football with Mick Harford very much as it gave me an opportunity to use this wonderful facility and understand how it would be used in the future.”
The school also raised funds for Prostate Cancer UK as part of the event and currently has a Just Giving page running for the charity: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/KWS-3G-Pitch
At the ceremony, a cheque for £1,000 was presented to the charity following a donation from Academia Technology Group.
