THE first kickabout has been held on the new 3G floodlit pitch in Blackbird Leys after it was formally opened by councillors.

The multi-use games area (MUGA) next to the Leys Pools and Leisure Centre was opened by Linda Smith, the council’s board member for leisure, parks and sports, on Friday, April 7.

Members of the community including Gordon Roper, chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, and football teams from sports-based social enterprise Streets Revolution and Thames Valley Police, also turned out for the grand opening of the pitch, funded by Oxford City Council.

Mike Harrison, Oxford contract manager for leisure centre operators Fusion Lifestyle, said: “We are thrilled to add these new pitches to the great range of facilities we already have.

“Many thanks to the teams who played the first ever match on the new pitches.

“The first planned activity on our new 3G pitches will be our April half term courses for boys and girls aged three to 12.”

The artificial turf pitches are also for hire and later in the year the centre off Pegasus Road will be starting leagues for men, women and businesses.

For more information email hannah.cox@fusion-lifestyle.com