Richard Huish College, in partnership with the Football Foundation and the Somerset FA, has expanded the campus sporting facilities to include a 3G all-weather pitch.

The new addition, constructed by McArdles and co-funded by Huish and the Football Foundation, was part of a 15-week £930,000 upgrade project to expand Huish’s already high-level sporting facilities. It follows the opening of Ash Meadows Rugby Pitch in 2021 and a cross-country track in 2023.

The 3G pitch will further enhance student experience and support local community clubs by allowing access to a high-quality, all-year football and rugby provision. All Huish students can participate in Sport EnRICH and benefit from the College’s links with Huish Tigers and Bristol Bears Sports Clubs to best their performance.

Huish Tigers Football Club will use the facility at weekends. They were founded in 2016 to provide an opportunity for 5-year-olds to get their first experiences of football. They have since grown to include teams for both girls and boys, primary to secondary ages, and a mixed pan-ability team.

The new TigerTurf covered pitch features rugby shock pads, dugouts, floodlights and pitch formations to allow for 5, 7, 9 and 11 aside games. Training has already begun for students and the Huish Tigers FC this season with high praise coming from all users.