Reaseheath has marked the opening of its new, professional level sports facilities to the public with a rugby tournament for local secondary schools.
Pupils from Sandbach High School, Ruskin Community High School, Crewe and Malbank School, Nantwich, took on the touch rugby challenge, which was judged by former English international rugby union player Mark Cueto MBE and supported by Reaseheath sports students.
The event marked the official opening of our all weather 4G pitch and multi-use games area for community use. The floodlit sports facility opened in September for business use and is already used regularly by Crewe and Nantwich Rugby Club, Crewe Alexandra Ladies FC and Crewe Arrows FC. The GB amputee football squad has also trained on the pitch, which has a synthetic surface installed to professional specification, electronic timing gates and a fitness testing unit. Other local football clubs are considering using the facility and there are plans to hold a sports festival at the venue in 2017.
Reaseheath also has a strength and conditioning gym with sports science laboratory and a new, outdoor, multi-use games area which can be hired out. The construction of a sports centre for community use will begin in early 2017.
The top class facilities are also used by Reaseheath’s sport and public services students, and for activities for residential students.
The schools tournament, which attracted seven mixed teams of pupils from Years 7 and 8, was won by Malbank First team players Nathan Lawley, Sam Taylor, Charlie Mellor, Toby Evans, George Threadgold, Sean Sides and top scorers Martin Lloyd and James Seiler. All pupils also had the opportunity to meet and question Mark Cueto, a former winger for Sale Sharks and England, after the tournament.
Said Malbank PE teacher Kyle Shore: “It was a fantastic day of rugby for the pupils, who really appreciated the opportunity of meeting such a high profile player as Mark Cueto. Reaseheath’s facility is excellent and we look forward to using it more in the future.”
Niall McGregor, School Games Organiser for Crewe and Nantwich Schools Sports Partnership, who helped to run the event, said: “The teams really enjoyed the opportunity to play on such a superb, professional surface. For many pupils, this was their first ever experience of playing touch rugby and everyone performed really well.”
Mark Cueto retired in 2015 after an illustrious 15-year career which saw him win 55 caps for England, play in two World Cups, represent the British and Irish Lions, and become the Rugby League’s top scorer. He was awarded an MBE for his services to rugby in 2016 and is now Commercial Director for Sale Sharks.
The former Crewe resident, who attended St Thomas More Catholic School and Alsager Sixth Form College: “Reaseheath College has built a fantastic facility here which will benefit professional clubs and enhance the health and wellbeing of the local community. The tournament was extremely well run and it was great to see so many pupils being introduced to rugby.”
For more information on Reaseheath’s degrees and diplomas in sports performance, public services and adventure sports visit our website and for the college’s sport facilities see here.
