New 2G Sports Pitch set to transform sport, health and community use in Market Drayton

Grove School in Market Drayton and project partners are celebrating the installation of a new floodlit 2G multi-sport pitch this year, creating an important new facility that will serve education, community sport and local clubs for years to come.

The all-weather pitch should be completed in September 2026 and has been designed to support a wide range of sports and activities and will be available throughout the school day, after school and during evenings and weekends, ensuring inclusive access for children, families, clubs and community groups across Market Drayton and the surrounding area.

Developed by the Marches Academy Trust in partnership with Grove School, Strategic Leisure, Market Drayton Town Council, Active Market Drayton and Shropshire Council, the facility addresses a longstanding lack of artificial sports provision locally. It will enable the school to deliver a broad and high‑quality physical education curriculum, expand extracurricular opportunities and provide a welcoming base for community sport, fitness and wellbeing activities.

The pitch will operate under a formal Community Use Agreement, ensuring it remains available for all practicable sports, accessible to the whole community and affordable for users. Clear arrangements are in development for programming, safeguarding, pricing, lighting and long-term maintenance, ensuring the facility is sustainable and protected for future generations.

Research underpinning the project highlights the significant health and wellbeing benefits of regular physical activity. The new pitch will support increased participation, improve mental and physical wellbeing and help bring people together through sport, particularly benefiting children and young people across the local area.

The project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of multiple funding partners. Funding for the new 2G pitch has been provided by Shropshire Council through its Community Infrastructure Levy, Drayton Action for Health, Market Drayton Town Council, the Marches Academy Trust and Market Drayton Community Amateur Sports Club.

All of this worked is underpinned by the work of the Active Market Drayton Group. The group is looking at supporting several clubs and facilities across the Town so people can continue to be physically active.

The group includes, Shropshire Council, Grove School/Marches Academy Trust, Market Drayton Town Council, Strategic Leisure, Energize, Market Drayton Community Amateur Sports Club, Shropshire Community Leisure Trust, Maurice Chandler, Shropshire Cricket, Market Drayton Sports Association, Market Drayton Patient Participation Group and Drayton Action for Health.

Sarah Finch, CEO of the Marches Academy Trust, said:

“This new 2G pitch is a fantastic investment in both our children and our wider community. It will give young people access to high-quality sport within their school day while also opening up opportunities for local clubs, families and residents to be active, connect and thrive together. We are extremely grateful to our funding partners whose belief in this project has made it possible.”

James Owen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Housing for Shropshire Council said:

“This facility will really make a difference to the residents of Market Drayton. Having a modern, multisport pitch locally available removes many barriers to participation and creates opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy sport in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. I hope it will be used to the fullest!”

Councillor Tom Dainty, Market Drayton East & Rural added:

“The new 2G pitch at Grove School is about far more than sport alone. It is a long‑term investment in health, wellbeing and community pride, providing a shared space where education, clubs and local residents can come together. Market Drayton has been long overdue a facility like this, so I’m delighted that all the partners could come together for the benefit of the town and its residents.”