SPORTY youngsters will have a better chance to succeed with the opening of a new facility at a school.

A Multi Use Games Arena (MUGA) was opened next to Robert May’s School Astroturf centre earlier this month.

The new facility adds to the existing full size 3G synthetic football pitch by providing a further all weather playing space suitable for hockey, netball and cricket coaching at the Odiham school.

Although landscaping around the area and new games equipment is still pending, Hampshire County Councillor Jonathan Glen cut the ribbon and pronounced the sports area officially open for students’ use.

First to get onto the pitch were the school’s Year 10 netballers and Jo Trip, a leading player in one of the country’s netball super league teams, Surrey Storm.

Ms Trip gave a demonstration of coaching with the students, watched by Cllr Glen, the schools’ lettings officer, Theresa Parker, and the school’s senior staff.

Cllr Glen said: “After that brilliant demonstration, this brand new games area is properly open. I would like to thank all the students for their enthusiasm, dedication and positive spirit- this has been great to watch.”

Richard Wilson, deputy headteacher, said: “This beautiful new facility has been provided by Hampshire County Council to support the gradual rise in student numbers as Robert May’s gets a little bigger in the next five years.

"We are so excited that the outdoor facility can be used by our current students."

Matt Grigg, head of PE added: “This MUGA is a great facility for all our team sports, and I am sure there will be some little league and primary school groups who would like to come and use it too.”

Mrs Parker added: “This is such a great opportunity, not just for the school but for everyone who loves team games in the local community. We are hoping that as many people as possible who would like to use it will come and have a look and book in.”

Headteacher Joanna West said: “ We’ve always had a great relationship with Hampshire County Council and its school places development team. This brand new outdoor sports facility is just one of many instances when the Hampshire schools’ team has detected a need and produced a solution, to a very high standard. It’s a winner for the school and the area.”