A NEW ‘state-of-the-art’ artificial grass Football pitch has been officially opened in Weymouth.

The Third Generation (3G) football pitch is being deemed a success by those who have tried it so far and it is hoped it will boost the development of skills across the area.

A Dorset girls’ under-13 competition was held on the new the all weather surface at the Redlands Community Sports Hub on Saturday with families giving the pitch the thumbs up.

Pip Hart, from Brackenbury Terrace on Portland, was with her daughter Chelsie Burrows for the tournament.

The 32-year-old mum said: “It looks like any other grass pitch from a distance and only when you are close do you think it’s not real grass.”

Some footballers have said they hope the bounce of the ball will become a little more consistent when the crumbs of rubber laid on the pitch bed down and settle in.

But Jordan Allen visiting with his dad Mark said the pitch was ‘just like real grass’.

Jordan, 14, who also plays on the 3G pitch at The Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre, said sliding and falling on the surface did not cause grazes on the knees like the old Redlands pitch – which is still in use – could.

“It’s a better surface,” he said. “You might sometimes get a little mark but you can do sliding tackles.

“When you are in goal and you dive it’s fine.”

Karen Jenkins, from Wyke Regis, said she was pleased that it was a ‘safer’ surface for her daughter Lydia, 11 and her friend Megan Price-Jones, also 11.

To help pay for the pitch funding of £280,175 was gained from the Football Association and Football Foundation combined and a further £20,000 was provided by Dorset County Council.

A contribution also came from Weymouth College – which took over Redlands three years ago – and it has led the project.

The new pitch comes complete with floodlights and the existing car park next to the old pitch has been revamped.

Sue Moore, college principal, cut a ribbon to mark the opening in front of the teams at the tournament and gave a speech describing the pitch as ‘state of the art’.

She said: “Our vision is to create a sporting centre of excellence that the community can be proud of.”

And Ben Heath, the college’s sports development officer, said it could be used by any standard including professionals.

He is excited about it being used by the college’s new Football Academy, which will see students playing against teams from Bristol, Taunton and Yeovil.

He said: “This will support the local infrastructure for sports.”

And Kieren Hasler, the college’s director of operations, said the college was ‘very proud’.

“We hope it’s going to be a great asset to the community,” he said.