Ton Pentre's new 3G pitch is open to the community after a little help from a Cardiff City FC legend
Nathan Blake helped open the all-weather pitch, made possible after volunteers secured a £124,000 grant
BY SAM TEGELTIJA
Monday 19th December 2016
Leanne Wood, Shelley Rees-Owen, Nathan Blake and Maureen Weaver at the opening of Ton Pentre's new 3G pitch
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Former Wales and Cardiff City FC striker Nathan Blake has helped officially open a new 3G football pitch in the Rhondda .
Ton Pentre and District Recreation Association secured a Welsh Government grant of £124,000 at the end of 2015 , for the new all-weather pitch to be built at a derelict patch of land next to Ton and Gelli Community Centre.
The community centre opened in 2014 at the former Ton and Gelli Boys and Girls Club - and is run by volunteers within the community.
It's for local teams and the community
Cardiff City legend Blake opened the new five-a-side pitch, which already hosts a number of local teams such as the Ton and Gelli disability football team, rugby teams from Ystrad RFC and Treorchy RFC, and the children of Ton and Gelli Boys and Girls Club.
The pitch is available for community use and slots can be booked via the Ton and Gelli Community Centre Facebook page.
A derelict patch of land in Ton Pentre is having a £124,000 makeover to turn it into games area for the community
Pupils from Ton Pentre Infants and Junior school took part at the opening ceremony - where they sang songs for the guests which also included Rhondda AM Leanne Wood and Pentre councillors Shelley Rees-Owen and Maureen Weaver.
Councillor Rees-Owen said afterwards: "The opening was a great event for the local community.
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"It was great to have someone of Nathan’s stature in Welsh sport come and open the facility.
"I know Nathan through the It’s My Shout organisation I work with and he was more than happy to come and open the facility when I asked him. In fact, he spent three hours here – he was very approachable to everyone.
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"The children from Ton Pentre Infants and Junior school were fantastic as well. It was a great event to mark the opening of what is a very valuable asset for the community.
“The pitch compliments the well-used community centre which opened two-and-a-half years ago. The all-weather pitch, just like the community centre, would not run without the dedicated group of volunteers behind them so I salute them all."
'We can get four seasons in one day'
Councillor Weaver added: "This new all-weather pitch has transformed the way local teams can prepare for their games.
"As we all know, the weather in the Rhondda can be challenging. We can get four seasons in one day which makes planning anything a challenge for sports teams.
"Thankfully, this new facility will allow teams to prepare in almost any weather. Getting this facility built at the Ton and Gelli Community Centre shows what is possible when the community comes together."
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