by Aline Nassif

aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk

Hopscotch or a game of tag would satisfy most primary school kids during their break time.

But hundreds of lucky youngsters in Sanderstead will be able to indulge in anything from tennis to hockey thanks to a brand new all-weather sports court.

Boys and girls at Ridgeway Primary, in Southcote Road, celebrated the official opening of their £60,000 multi-use outdoor games facility last week.

PE teacher Jane Paton came up with the idea two years ago, but digging only started last December after planning proposals were given the go-ahead.

Parent governor and joint-project organiser Lisa Hall said: "The kids absolutely love the new court and they are making such great use of it.

"It is marked for netball, tennis, five-a-side football, basketball and even unihoc (a game similar to hockey and often played in schools).

"Sport is such an important part of a growing child's life – not just physically but also for the skills and teamwork lessons it teaches them.

"I am delighted this project has finally come off. It's been a long wait but definitely worth it."

Basketball player Arek Deng – sister of Chicago Bulls superstar Luol Deng – inaugurated the new court on Monday by coaching a group of nine-to-11-year-olds and overseeing a mini tournament.

Kate Henley, 10, whose team won, said: "The new court is really great fun because everyone can play on it.

"My favourite sport is netball and having this new play area means our games won't get interrupted as we now have enough space."

The new sports pitch will allow Ridgeway's 681 pupils to enjoy outdoor sports at all times – even when their playing field gets waterlogged in bad weather.

Miss Hall explained: "We have always been lucky to have a wonderful field and a fairly big playground, but in the bad weather when the field couldn't be used, the playground was too small to fit everyone.

"We couldn't even allow some of the boys to kick a ball around because the space was too confined and there would have been health and safety issues.

"But now sports can flourish at Ridgeway whatever the weather."

The school will use the court throughout the day and run additional lunchtime and after-school clubs on it.

Deputy head Caty Marchant added: "We are really excited about this new resource.

"It's going to benefit the children of Ridgeway immensely."