A new 3G community football pitch in Totton will prioritise women and girls following a £30 million grant.

The new facility at Testwood School cost around £750,000, with the Premier League, the FA and the government's Football Foundation, New Forest District Council and Pace Youth FC funding the project.

The pitch will also benefit from The Lionesses Futures Fund, a £30 million grant to ensure women and girls have access to football.

Since England won the Euros in 2022, 68,000 more girls are playing football than before the tournament.

The new pitch in Totton will prioritise access for women and girls in peak-time slots, and increase the provision of disabilities football.

Former Southampton and England player Louise Gardner, who played professionally in the 1970s, kicked the first ball on the artificial grass.

Louise said: "I would have loved to have played on pitches like this when I was young.

“It was great fun to kick the ball and I hope everyone using the pitch enjoys sport as much as I did.”

The 3G pitch was opened by former student and wheelchair rugby Paralympian Aaron Phipps.

Aaron said: "Sport changed my life as a disabled athlete, and this is a fantastic facility which can be used in all weathers for a huge number of sports.

“It will hopefully change the lives of many who use it over the years to come.”

The facility also has two new artificial cricket pitches, giving local clubs Totton and Eling, and Calmore, a new place to play and practice.

James Cross, Community Facilities Manager at Testwood School, said: “This state-of-the-art facility will not only enhance sporting opportunities but also foster inclusivity, particularly for women and girls, offering them a space to thrive and play at the highest level.

“The partnership with local clubs such as Pace Youth FC, Tottonians Rugby FC, Totton and Eling Cricket Club, and Calmore Cricket Club underscores our shared commitment to supporting grassroots sport."

Tim Webber, Headteacher at Testwood School, said: "We are extremely pleased to host these great sporting facilities for the use of the community at Testwood School.

“This will benefit our students and the community immensely in playing sport, something that is such an important and fulfilling part of our lives. I am also very grateful to our staff, most notably James Cross and Jackie Barker for their hard work in managing this project."