A PREMIER league footballer opened a school's new sports pitch this week.

Sunderland striker Duncan Watmore opened a £614,950 third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch at St John’s School and Sixth Form College, in Bishop Auckland, on Tuesday, April 19, in his first role as a Football Foundation Ambassador.

A £214,950 grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, which is delivered by the Football Foundation, and £150,000 from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities helped the school replace a dilapidated Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and part of a grass field that was prone to waterlogging.

The Football Foundation worked with St John’s School and the Durham FA to produce a five-year plan to make the most of the site and increase participation, particularly through close links to St Mary’s and Escomb Junior Football Clubs.

As a result St Mary’s JFC aims to expand from 18 teams to 40, with the majority of growth at boys and girls Under-10 to Under-18 level, and intends to introduce Under-11 and Under-18 disability teams.

The School Sports Partnership, a scheme designed to increase sports and physical education opportunities for schoolchildren, plans to give 26 of St John’s teachers and 36 junior sports leaders the opportunity to gain FA Level One coaching qualifications.

Watmore signed a new four-year contract with the Black Cats in November last year, following impressive performances for Sunderland and also for the England Under-21 team.

Notably, he netted a goal and provided two assists against Switzerland in a 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier.

The 22-year-old was impressed by St John's facility and the plans to make good use of it.

He said: “Not so long ago, I was playing at the lower levels of the game and I can tell you that having access to quality facilities, just like this one, makes all the difference when you are trying to improve as a player.

“The beauty of floodlit 3G pitches is that they don’t get waterlogged and you can play on them through the dark evenings. I remember trying to train on some real quagmire natural grass pitches and then having to finish the session early because it got too dark.

“It’s not just the school who will benefit from this new pitch but the wider community."

Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, was also impressed and thanked backers, adding: "Sport is such an integral part of the curriculum, allowing young people to communicate, work together and live a healthy, active, lifestyle both in and out of school.”

Headteacher Lisa Byron said: “The facility has transformed the delivery of our PE curriculum and provides year-round access, ensuring that football and sport continue to thrive both within and beyond St John’s.”