Strathaven’s first ever full-size 3G multi-sports pitch was officially opened on Friday the 24th of March by Scottish Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell. The facility, marked for both football and rugby, has seen a major cooperation between the town’s two largest sports clubs, Strathaven Dynamos and Strathaven Rugby, Club and has already proved to be a masterful build. 

 

A price of £670,000 for the construction via Malcolm Sports Surfaces, much of which was supplied by the community itself, is looking to have been worth every penny.

 

The opening was attended by all those involved in the building of the pitch, as well as politicians, local businesses, charities and young players of both clubs. Boys and girls of all ages took part in a wide variety of drills, with footballing exercises working on shooting and passing while rugby players worked on their touch rugby abilities. Both sports even joined up for a penalty shootout at the end of the day before groups photos were taken, with loud shouts of “Strathaven” echoing throughout the area.

 

Aileen Campbell was ecstatic in her praise for the project, which has been a long-term aim for the small town for several years.

 

“Providing facilities like this not only helps to tackle inequalities but also encourages increased physical activity for people within that community by extending the recreational options open to them. I hope that this pitch will increase participation and bring positive outcomes to Strathaven and the surrounding villages.”

 

The CashBack for Communities scheme has been pivotal in funding the pitch, taking money from those breaking the law and putting it towards new projects in an aim to benefit communities across Scotland. Cammy Watt, Scottish FA Facilities Manager, said he is “delighted to see this latest CashBack for Pitches project reach completion after what has been a long and sometimes challenging journey.”

“The new 3G pitch is a further fantastic example of football and rugby working in partnership to deliver a high quality facility to benefit local clubs”.

“We’re sure the pitch will act as a catalyst in driving even greater levels of participation in healthy sports activity for those in and around Strathaven.”

“Today it’s about them celebrating this fantastic achievement.”

Frank McGraw, Chair of renowned club Strathaven Dynamos, says everyone is “delighted with the new facility, with praise coming from coaches, players, parents and opposing teams  who have had the pleasure of playing matches over the past two weeks”.

“This has been a pipedream for the football club for many years and we are looking forward to growing our club even more and forming a strong partnership with our rugby cousins for years to come.”

“This facility is a great asset for both clubs and indeed for the Strathaven community.”

The official opening was followed on Saturday the 25th by a public open day, where the people of Strathaven and its neighbouring towns such as Chapelton and Sandford came along to observe the new turf for themselves as well as enjoy refreshments, speak to club members and take a penalty or conversion themselves.

All in all, both days were highly enjoyable and helped to symbolise just how positive an impact the pitch has had on the youth of Strathaven.