ATHLETES will be able to fulfil their potential thanks to a major investment in sports facilities at a leading school.
Work is under way on a £270,000 scheme to replace aged netball and tennis courts at Barnard Castle School after the school’s parent community rallied round with donations.
The work is expected to be completed in time for the new netball season in January and will be available for community use, as well as to host regional fixtures and hone students’ skills. The floodlit courts will also be used for tennis.
Joint captains of the netball first team Layla Key and Thea Wilks welcomed the initiative. Year 13 student Thea, said: “The old courts were very slippery as they were under the trees and you couldn’t really play to your full ability.
“Our sports hall is excellent and these new outside courts will be an incredible addition to the school’s sports facilities. We were unbeaten last season and starting the new one with top class courts will inspire us and all the year groups coming up behind.”
Four new courts will be installed away from the trees featuring the latest technology in surfacing and floodlighting.
They will be used to host regional competitions and community events as well as develop the skills of boys and girls, many of who have been selected for the Northern Performance League.
The project is the latest in a programme of school improvements and essential maintenance carried out over the summer holidays to boost the learning experience for students and increase access to the community.
Barnard Castle School headmaster David Cresswell said: “This school was founded in 1883 and as the current guardians we want to ensure that it will be here in another 150 years, which is why we are determined not to stand still and are constantly improving our provision.
“The school strives to operate efficiently and create honest surpluses to reinvest in facilities for our students and their hard working parents and we are thrilled that this latest project has become possible thanks to their unwavering support.”
Director of sport Rachael Masterman added: “We are extremely excited about the new facilities which will have a massive impact on sport in the school and the wider netball and tennis community.
“We will be able to stage multiple fixtures at the same time and thanks to the floodlighting extend the time they will be available.”
