The Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) Astro at Edgbarrow School is 15 years old and needs to be replaced to provide a safe environment for PE lessons. The current surface is also not compliant with the Football Association (FA) resulting in the school and hirers being unable to use the Astro to hold league or cup games. Replacing the current Astro with a new 3G surface would enable safer use, improve the experience and be used for a wider range of fixtures and users.

The cost of replacing the Astro “carpet” with a 3G will be in the region of £200,000. With regular maintenance and care, this should last for 15 years.

We are extremely grateful to Finchampstead Football Club who have already secured £110,000 of funding for this project through their associated charity, Finchampstead Football Club Foundation, and we are excited to be working with the club to enable them to play their girls’ and boys’ league and cup fixtures here on a Saturday morning as well as some of their training sessions during the week. Finchampstead Football Club (FFC) currently runs 16 girls’ teams with new teams being formed throughout the season, as well as 26 boys’ teams, 2 ladies’ teams, 6 men’s teams and a men’s veterans’ team.

Many of our students who play for Finchampstead Football Club and would benefit from the new surface both in and out of school. Of course, other local clubs and individuals would also be able to benefit from the new surface and FA compliance.

**We need to source £90,000 to enable the project to become a reality.**

Every donation will help the current Edgbarrow School cohort of nearly 1,500 pupils enjoy a safer and fairer surface to play on as well as members of the local community who wish to hire the Astro for recreational purposes.

Many thanks

Edgbarrow School and Finchampstead Football Club