Sports pitch grand opening at Rye Hills Academy!

Trust school, Rye Hills Academy in Redcar, has unveiled their newly refurbished, state-of-the-art, multi-sports pitch thanks to almost £250,000 of support from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s Levelling Up Fund.

The transformation will allow the school, which was recently upgraded by two full Ofsted grades, to deliver a refreshed PE curriculum and offer a larger range of afterschool activities.

The pitch has also been home to the Redcar Hockey Club since 2007 and is the only full sized astroturf hockey pitch in the Redcar and Cleveland area. However, after years of regular use, the pitch was in need of complete refurbishment.  After the installation of a new multi-sports surface, improved maintenance equipment and energy efficient LED lighting, it’s now back open for business.

Redcar Hockey Club will now return to their home ground, and plan to work with Rye Hills Academy to develop their sport offer including increasing hockey participation, coaching and training in the community.

Andrew Crosby, Director of Estates at the North East Learning Trust, said:

“This project has been a very successful collaboration, and I am delighted that we have been able to give the pitch a new lease of life. The energy-efficient, multi-use pitch allows Rye Hills Academy to offer a brilliant sports facility to its students and the wider community. Having the maintenance equipment upgraded also means that we can ensure ongoing viability of the pitch.”

Cllr Carrie Richardson, Deputy Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Climate and Culture commented:

“This is an excellent facility which will be an asset to the borough. It will not only support sport and exercise at the school and boost the historic Redcar Hockey Club but benefit the entire community. It’s a brilliant example of different organisations coming together in a common purpose – and achieving big results. Well done to everyone involved.”

A spokesperson from Redcar Hockey Club added:

“We are delighted to be able to return to Rye Hills and very much looking forward to being able to play in Redcar. We are thankful for all the support from NELT, Redcar Borough Council, Redcar Hockey Club committee and all the local politicians and council officers who have helped us to achieve our aim of playing hockey in Redcar once again.”