The Calum Leys Memorial Pitch was officially opened by Lorraine Leys along with Ramsey Academy school captain’s Cobi Berkane and Ellie Pratt in a small ceremony to meet current Covid restrictions.
On Thursday 24th June, a new artificial football pitch was officially opened to the public by the wife of a beloved teacher from Ramsey Academy that the new pitch has been named in memory of.
The Calum Leys Memorial Pitch was officially opened by Lorraine Leys along with Ramsey Academy school captain’s Cobi Berkane and Ellie Pratt in a small ceremony to meet current Covid restrictions.
Rob James, Executive Headteacher at Ramsey Academy commented: “Calum wanted the students to have a ‘holistic learning experience.’ He knew academic qualifications are important, but so are the life skills and learning experiences that allow the students to challenge themselves and be ambitious.
“Sport was obviously an important part of these experiences. It’s a fitting tribute that the new artificial grass pitch at Ramsey was officially opened last night and named in his memory. The ‘Calum Leys Memorial Pitch’ will be a tangible reminder of his contribution to the local community.”
The recently replaced full size artificial grass football pitch was completed ahead of schedule at the start of June and boasts not only a full size pitch but also has 9, 7 and 5 a side pitch markings. It is built to FIFA standards to enable competitive grass root football fixtures to be played at all levels.
Braintree District Council made an application to the Football Foundation to provide funding for a new artificial grass football pitch facility that will serve Halstead and its surrounding villages.
The total cost of the project was £751,600 and as part of the grant conditions, the Football Foundation required the Council to contribute 30% towards the total cost. The Council’s funding was sourced from Section 106 contributions together with a capital contribution of £45,000 following unanimous approval from councillors back in February.
The previous artificial football pitch in Halstead was over twelve years old and teams from Halstead Town Youth Football club were playing across five different venues. Now the new state of the art 3G pitch will allow the club to play all its matches in Halstead, accommodating 300 youth players, four senior teams and one ladies team.
Cllr Peter Tattersley, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: This new state of the art 3G artificial football pitch is a fantastic asset to the Halstead community and a welcome improvement for the residents of the town. Investing in outdoor sports facilities helps encourage physical exercise and allows budding footballers to hone their skills.”
The new pitch can be booked via Fusion Lifestyle who operate Halstead Leisure Centre and will be available to Ramsey Academy via a joint use agreement.
Anthony Cawley, Director of Operations at Fusion Lifestyle said: “We are so pleased that the new football pitch is now ready and available to the local community in Halstead to enjoy. We know how much people have missed playing team sports during the past year or so and this is a wonderful opportunity for football teams and fans alike to come together to play, whatever level they enjoy."
Braintree District Council Chairman Cllr Sue Wilson was in attendance at the event and said: “It was an honour to be in attendance at this event and see the official opening of this new sports facility in Halstead and its naming in tribute to a valuable and dearly missed member of the Halstead community.”