A SCHOOL in Yarm has been awarded £304,000 to create a floodlit community football pitch.

This week, sports charity the Football Foundation backed a bid by Conyers School to develop a floodlit, full-size synthetic turf pitch for the use of boys, girls, players with disabilities and the community at large.

The aim is to provide a structured community football programme as well as developing current curriculum activities.

However, the school also hopes to increase after-school football coaching to more than 220 players aged from seven to 11.

School holiday coaching sessions are also planned, attracting an estimated 200 further players.

Girls-only coaching will link into the regional active sports programme with local primary schools encouraged to use the new facilities and to establish under-11 squads.

The school hopes to set up a local girls' league by September 2004.

Disabled players will also be encouraged to take part in local "soccability" festivals and there are plans to provide weekly coaching sessions for people with learning disabilities.

Peter Lee, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "Conyers School must be congratulated for the inclusive nature of their new project, not only offering their own pupils superb new facilities but also extending access to the community."