New 3G pitch and sports block unveiled at Sandwell school
Phoenix Collegiate unveils state-of-the-art sports facilities to benefit students and wider community
The Phoenix Collegiate has officially opened its new Sports Block and 3G football pitch, marking a major milestone in the school’s plans to create first-class sporting facilities for students and the wider community.
The opening ceremony, held last Thursday afternoon, was attended by the Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Margaret Sutton, alongside governors, partners and invited guests.
Headteacher Mike Smith said the development represented the fulfilment of a long-held ambition to provide dedicated sports facilities for the communities of Hateley Heath and Stone Cross.
“When I interviewed for the role of Headteacher a number of years ago, I made a commitment to create a school that truly served its community,” he said.
“At the time, there were no dedicated sports facilities available for the communities of Hateley Heath and Stone Cross. Since then, alongside our governors, we have worked tirelessly to turn that ambition into reality.”
The project was made possible through the sale of land at Friar Park, alongside investment from the Football Foundation, the Premier League and The FA.
The new facilities were officially opened by two of the school’s longest-serving governors in recognition of their commitment and service. Chair of Governors Leigh Pepper, who is celebrating 20 years with the school, and Vice-Chair Don Williams, who will mark 25 years of service this summer, carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The new Sports Block and 3G pitch form part of a wider vision to develop a major sporting campus at the school.
The Phoenix Collegiate is now seeking council support for the next stage of the plans, which includes a new car park and the addition of padel courts, with completion targeted for spring 2027.
Once complete, the campus will include a sports hall, two activity studios, a dedicated dance studio, seven floodlit multi-use games areas, two FA-standard grass football pitches, a refurbished all-weather running track, an indoor climbing wall, a low-level assault course and leadership trail, and extensive playing fields for both the school and the wider community.
The school said the developments would provide new opportunities for young people while creating sporting facilities for the Sandwell community to enjoy for years to come.