A SECONDARY school’s 10th anniversary was marked in style with footballing legends opening a new sports facility.
Tottenham Hotspur and England star Andros Townsend opened a newly resurfaced artificial grass pitch at Capital City Academy in Doyle Gardens, Willesden, on Tuesday.
He was joined by England’s leading female footballer, Rachel Yankey, West Ham legend Sir Trevor Brooking and BBC reporter Garth Crooks, who is also a trustee and a driving force behind sport at the academy, to mark the school’s 10th birthday.
Andros Townsend said: “It was fantastic to help open the new 3G surface at Capital City Academy, and to see so many kids enjoying the new pitch already.
“It wasn’t so long ago that I was playing on surfaces like this, so I can vouch for how good they really are.”
Rachel Yankey said: “I grew up around this area, so it is a real privilege to be here at the opening of this fantastic new facility.
Photos by Chris Berry
“The surface at Capital City Academy will provide an important hub for grassroots football in the local community, and I’m certain it will inspire more girls and boys to get involved in football.”
Pupils took on Queens Park Rangers FC academy players in a friendly match before Andros Townsend and Rachel Yankey held a question-and-answer session, hosted by Garth Crooks, in the academy’s theatre.
The third generation artificial grass pitch will be for the use of the school and the public and will be rented out for community hire.
The club worked in partnership with the Middlesex FA to secure a £366,368 grant from the Football Foundation.
