Chelsea FC Link Up with Southfields Community College to Offer All-Year-Round Facilities

Agripower Contractors, a leading specialist sportsturf contracting company, has successfully completed the construction of a full size 3rd generation synthetic pitch at Southfields Community College in London.

The Buckinghamshire based contractors have constructed numerous artificial pitches during the last 12 months and this is the company's second artificial pitch project within the last six months which again sees them link up with Chelsea FC.

The £550,000 project provides a top level artificial sports pitch for use by the 1300 pupils of the College as well as male and female players which will be attending the SCC Football Academy. The Academy will combine a first class training and coaching programme (delivered by Chelsea's UEFA approved coaches) with an educational package delivered by Southfields Community College who is a specialist sports college.

Agripower were awarded the pitch contract in 2010 with work starting in early September which included a full size, fully floodlit 3G synthetic pitch to both Football Association and Football Foundation specifications, sports fencing and the construction of a SureSet resin bound gravel surface footpath for Wandsworth Borough Council.

The artificial surface chosen for this project was the 60mm monofilament D-Vision from Desso Sports Systems which was chosen due to the soft natural appearance and high-wear characteristics inherent with Desso Products.

The new facility will see Chelsea FC deliver regular coaching to the local community, as well as help set up a sixth form football academy at the college. Acceptance into the SCC Football Academy will depend upon players being eligible to attend college, be of the appropriate high standard in football, as judged by references and a trial observed by the Chelsea coaching staff; pass an academic profiling exercise; and, commit to 2 years of education in the 6th form.

Trevor Gordon of Agripower said: "Our turnkey design, construction and drainage services made Agripower the ideal partner for the Southfields project". "We hope that the resulting pitches are the foundation of discovering the next John Terry."

For further information, please contact Agripower Contractors on 01494 866776 or visit www.agripower.co.uk