Waiōtahe Valley School students are making the most of a new astroturf court, with the long-awaited facility already proving popular with students and the wider community.

The new multi-purpose turf was officially opened on the final Friday of last term and has been in almost constant use since, with students and families taking to the courts over the school holidays to play basketball, tennis and hockey.

Principal Tai Miskell said the project had been years in the making and it was rewarding to see it finally become a reality.

“The plans for the new astroturf have been in motion for a few years, so it is great to finally see it installed,” he said.

The new courts have been named in honour of Pat and Glynis Carrington, the parents of New Zealand rowing gold medallist Lisa Carrington.

Pat served as headmaster at Waiōtahe Valley School for more than 30 years, while Glynis continues to support the school as a relief teacher.

“They absolutely love sport and it is very fitting to be able to acknowledge them for their dedication to the school and the students they served for so long,”

Miskell said the new facility would have a significant impact on student sport, particularly hockey, which was a major focus for many students at the school.

“We have just over 100 students at the school and over half of them play hockey. They travel over to Whakatāne just about every week to play, so the new astroturf will be a huge asset to their development and training,” he said.

The school will also be entering a year 7 and 8 hockey team in the upcoming AIMS Games for the first time, something Miskell said students were eagerly anticipating.

“The kids are really excited about this,” he said.

“We are exceedingly grateful to the Lion Foundation for their contribution to the project and also the community at large for supporting all the fundraisers and galas that have gone towards completing the turf,” he said.

The new astroturf is expected to serve as both a sporting hub for students and a gathering place for the wider Waiōtahe community for years to come.