WORK is now well underway on Queen Mary’s School’s new floodlit synthetic pitch which will be available for community use.

The new facility in the grounds of Queen Mary’s School, between Ripon and Thirsk, includes a full sized synthetic pitch certified for hockey, netball and tennis.

Alongside the pitch, a two-storey sports pavilion will provide changing rooms for up to four teams, a central multi-use space and a viewing platform.

The facilities will also benefit the local community and be available to hire for everything from sport fixtures to birthday parties, alongside potential opportunities to watch hockey clubs and prestigious matches played within the grounds of Queen Mary’s School.

Joint Heads of Sport Emma Lindsley and Danielle Pegg are delighted to see work underway, saying: “Queen Mary’s pupils already achieve national success in trampolining, gymnastics and riding.

"Additionally, 18 of Queen Mary’s hockey players have qualified for the Area Teams and three girls have been part of the Junior Academy Centre.

"This new facility will especially enhance our school’s sporting facilities for team sports including hockey and netball, allowing pupils to spend more time on the pitch and benefit from this state of the art surface.”

Queen Mary’s Hockey player, Jemima Berry of year 9 said: “The plans look amazing.

"I am very excited to start playing on the new pitch.”