Anfield pupils help to grow Liverpool's new pitch
Local school pupils are helping Liverpool FC ground staff to grow grass for the pitch at Anfield this summer as part of the club's Red Way sustainability initiative.
Children from Four Oaks Primary School in Anfield will spend the next six weeks growing their own patches of grass, which will then be planted as part of the new turf in preparation for the 2021-22 season.
Ahead of National Children’s Gardening Week – which runs from May 29 to June 6 – LFC’s Red Neighbours team visited the school to deliver seeds and planting trays, alongside the club’s head groundsman, Dave Roberts, who shared his expert tips on how to grow the best-quality grass for the team to play on next term.
Armed with detailed care instructions, the 45 pupils will now take away their planted seeds, nurturing them at home over the coming weeks before heading to Anfield in late summer to see their fully-grown grass in place as part of the pitch.
Adela Pritchard, Year Four teacher at Four Oaks, said: “Planting the grass for Anfield has been a great experience for the children – they loved working with the LFC grounds team on such a practical activity.
“The afternoon was not just about planting grass, but it also gave the children the purpose to work hard. They are extremely excited to look after their pots of grass over the half-term and share their grown grass with the club. To then see their final products in the stadium – wow, what an opportunity!”
Stephanie Long, Year Four teacher at Four Oaks, added: “The children were unbelievably happy to plant the grass seeds and they have instantly become extremely keen, attentive gardeners. They hope their planting helps Alisson to continue making super saves next season!”
As a thank you for their hard work, the children will be invited to Anfield in September, where club mascot Mighty Red will greet them for a private tour of the stadium, culminating in seeing first-hand the results of their gardening efforts in the newly-planted pitch.
Roberts said: “Learning how to grow and nurture grass and other plants or vegetables is an extremely useful life skill which will benefit the children in many ways in the future.
“At the club, we are committed to operating as sustainably as possible, and being able to share our knowledge and gardening tips with local youngsters is a great step towards us all contributing to a more sustainable future.
“It’s also wonderful to have local children be a part of the summer pitch works – our community is at the heart of the club and having an Anfield school contribute to the pitch the team will play on next season is really special.”
For more information on National Children’s Gardening Week, or to get involved, visit https://www.childrensgardeningweek.co.uk.