Christ Church New Malden School recently underwent a remarkable transformation of its outdoor play area, replacing a tired asphalt surface with Playrite’s high-quality Matchplay 2 artificial grass surface.
Christ Church New Malden School recently underwent a remarkable transformation of its outdoor play area, replacing a tired asphalt surface with Playrite’s high-quality Matchplay 2 artificial grass surface.
The project, completed in partnership with ETC Sports Surfaces Limited, has provided the school with a safe, durable, and aesthetically pleasing multi-use games area (MUGA), ideal for a range of sports and general play. Working closely with parents and the wider community, the school is dedicated to fostering high achievement through a varied and engaging curriculum that nurtures essential skills and celebrates diversity. With the support of government funding, they seized the opportunity to enhance their sports provision, ensuring that students have fi t-for-purpose outdoor PE and recreational spaces.
Their long-term vision is to develop a sustainable programme that not only promotes active and healthy lifestyles among pupils but also provides valuable green space for the broader community.
However, before the renovation, the school’s outdoor area was far from ideal. The aging asphalt surface suffered from poor drainage, worn-out markings, and a hard, unforgiving texture that limited safe play.
Recognising the need for a safer, more adaptable surface, the school sought a durable solution for year-round sports and play. To address these challenges, ETC Sports Surfaces Limited prepared the ground to ensure a fully porous foundation, preventing waterlogging and improving long-term durability. The installation of Matchplay 2 delivered a high-performance sports surface suitable for a variety of activities.
Nick Drake, Sales & Project Manager at ETC Sports Surfaces Limited, emphasised the importance of providing safe, high-quality sports facilities for schools. “The transformation at Christ Church New Malden has created a durable, multi-purpose area that will support students’ physical activity for years to come. Playrite’s Matchplay 2 surface delivers excellent playability, comfort, and safety for young athletes.”
Now, the school enjoys a vibrant and functional MUGA that seamlessly integrates with its existing playground and equipment. The surface caters to multiple sports, including netball, football, and general play, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students, including wheelchair users. With minimal upkeep, Matchplay 2 ensures lasting durability and a consistently high-quality finish. Importantly, its porous nature prevents water accumulation, keeping the space usable even after heavy rainfall.
Chris Pickles, Sales Director at Playrite, highlighted the practical advantages of the new installation, stating: “Matchplay 2 provides a fantastic, long-lasting play surface that ensures both safety and performance, whilst delivering a low-maintenance solution for schools.”
The revamp of Christ Church New Malden School’s outdoor play area is a testament to the importance of investing in high-quality sports surfaces. By selecting Playrite’s Matchplay 2, the school has created a safe, inclusive, and versatile facility that will benefit students for years to come, supporting both structured PE lessons and free play opportunities.
