Celebrations as Markethill High School to get £500,000 state of the art hockey pitch
By Eleanor McGillie
THE hockey team, staff and pupils at Markethill High School are celebrating as the Southern Education and Library Board has given the go-ahead for a £500,000 state-of-the-art hockey pitch.
The news, which is being welcomed by the whole community, is part of the Minor Works Capital Projects Programme.
The school’s Under-16 boy’s team are currently Northern Ireland Taylor Cup Champions and are celebrating being through to the semi-final of the prestigious Prior Shield having defeated Belfast Inst, Sullivan Upper and Wellington College.
James Maxwell, Principal of Markethill High School, said this is a huge step forward for the school’s positioning in the community and will provide the school with a state-of-the-art facility which other schools will also enjoy competing on.
Mr Maxwell said: “Given the extraordinary current success of both our boys and girls hockey teams, it is absolutely right that Markethill pupils get access on their doorstep to the high quality, top-class sporting facilities they deserve.
“This new 2G synthetic hockey pitch will serve the High School pupils and the broader community for decades to come and we are very grateful to the SELB for their support and assistance with this initiative.
“As the population of Markethill High School continues to grow into the future, so too will the population of the local community and the vision for Markethill for the future may well entail the development of Club Hockey for the town. This international-standard pitch will allow for just that.”
The FIH Synthetic Hockey Pitch, which will be positioned at the school’s existing all-weather shale pitch, is compliant with the latest edition of FIH Rules of Hockey 2013 and is expected to be completed by April 2015.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR:
- Markethill High School is the Best School in Northern Ireland for Modern Languages
- In September 2013, The Minister for Education John O’Dowd congratulates Markethill High School for being one of 11 schools in Northern Ireland which successfully bridges the gap between social disadvantage and educational attainment
- In October 2013 the ETI report that Markethill High School is a school of ‘very good practice’ and commends all aspects of school life
- In November 2013 Harper Adams University in Ireland announces a collaboration with Markethill High School to lead the way in education in Northern Ireland by encouraging pupils to take up careers in agriculture
- For further information contact Eleanor McGillie of MGMPR Ltd on 028 3756 9569 | 07709805379| Education PR | Brand Journalism Experts | Brand Journalism UK | Brand Journalism Northern Ireland | PR Agency Northern Ireland |
