Children's delight as Multi-Use Games Area opened at Sunderland school

Staff and children at Castletown Primary School are “delighted” and can’t wait to play football and cricket all year round after the official opening of their new £75,000 Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).

Partly funded by the school with support from the Football Foundation, the new facility is also accompanied by portable floodlights and will be used by the school during its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

As well as football, the facility also includes hoops for basketball and netball and can be used in wet weather for year round sports including cricket and PE games.

Headteacher Lee Duncan said: “We are absolutely delighted to open our new MUGA, which is a fantastic addition to our school and a wonderful investment in our children’s future. Sport plays a vital role at Castletown Primary School in developing teamwork, resilience, confidence and a sense of community, and this new facility will help us build on our strong sporting ethos for many years to come.

“I look forward to seeing our children make the most of this fantastic space.”

The MUGA was officially opened earlier this week by the school’s PE lead, Martin Richards.

Mr Richards said: “The opening of our new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) is a fantastic addition to the school and the wider community. It’s a day I’ve been hoping to see for many years, so I’m absolutely delighted that we now have this excellent facility in place.

“Sport has always been high on the agenda at our school, and this new facility will take that commitment to the next level. It will give our children even greater opportunities to participate in a wide range of sports and games throughout the year, whatever the weather, helping them to develop their skills, confidence, teamwork and, most importantly, their enjoyment of being active.”

“The MUGA will benefit pupils across the school, encourage more children to get involved in sport and provide a fantastic space for us to build on our links with the local community.

“I’m incredibly proud to see this project come to life and can’t wait to see the children enjoying everything it has to offer. It’s a wonderful investment in our school, our pupils and their future, and I’m sure it will be enjoyed for many years to come.”

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the children got their first chance to play on the new MUGA.

Year 6 pupil Frankie McNulty said: “I’m really impressed with the MUGA - it looks good. I can’t wait to play football on it.”

Classmate Jack Turner, 10, said: “I love to play football and cricket. It will be much easier to play on the MUGA in the winter rather than on a muddy field.”

Year 5 pupil Ruby Decruz added: “I have been really looking forward to the MUGA opening. I like to play football.”