Grassroots Glory as Priory’s Pitches Earn Advanced Status

Priory has some of the best school football pitches in the area to hire out with a Pitch Power Report marking four of the six pitches ‘Advanced’ – the highest mark!

The other two have been marked ‘good’ with Priory’s Estates team aiming to have all their pitches with ‘Advanced’ rating as soon as they can.

It’s primarily been down to the hard work of Estates Supervisor Tim Bamber.

He said: “I have been at Priory for five years. I started taking an interest when my son played for Penwortham St Theresa’s, one of the clubs that use the school's facilities, and the pitches weren’t the best and needed upgrading.

“I talked to Facilities Manager Keith Bolton and we applied for a Football Foundation grant which we got and we were able to receive training and buy equipment.

“We have progressed and improved the pitches over the years and now we get a lot of positive comments about our pitches and it is a big source of pride at school.

“They are used from March-September on weekdays by grassroot teams and, because they are good pitches, they can be used for longer. They are also used at weekends.

“Pitch Power assess our pitches every six months and it’s great to see where we have come from, from Poor to Advanced.  We do take really good care of them with the time and budget and everyone is proud of how far we have come.”

Mr Bolton said: “Both myself and Tim have had training by the Grounds Maintenance Association and attended conferences to learn how we can improve the pitches. We have also received equipment such as a tractor and a robotic line marker.

“The pitches have improved dramatically. It shows we are doing the right things by being graded ‘Advanced’ on four of our pitches – and we are aiming for all six to reach the top mark!”

Facility Hire

Contractual agreements for the use of Priory’s grass pitches are currently with Penwortham Town FC, Penwortham St Tereasa’s FC, AFC Penwortham, and Kingsfold FC.  

The 3G pitch has availability every Wednesday 9-10pm (2 x 7v7 pitches). The 3G can also be available on a Saturday from 2-4pm by arrangement.

In addition to the grass and 3G pitches, Penwortham Priory Academy has a wide range of facilities for hire from conference suites, classrooms, netball courts and a dance studio to a sports hall, gym and hall.  For further information, enquiries or to make a booking, please visit the school website at www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/facility-hire-at-priory or email lettings@priory.lancs.sch.uk