Christmas is coming early for Sports College, Rossington All Saints Church of England School, Doncaster, as local MP and Home Office Minister Caroline Flint joins pupils and staff to kick off their outstanding football project.

Ms Flint handed over £522,566 on behalf of the Football Foundation, part of the Foundation's and the Big Lottery Fund's £30m commitment of National Lottery money to school football facilities, that will provide pupils and the wider community with a new floodlit synthetic turf pitch and modern changing facilities.

The cash boost will also allow the school to fund a development programme to provide more opportunities for footballers of all ages and abilities to take up the game. Almost 2000 players are expected to become regular users of the revamped site.

James Hope-Gill, Chief Executive of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA said: "We have worked closely with Rossington on their football development plan to help secure this funding. We are delighted that the Football Foundation is helping schools to improve their facilities which are used by hundreds of children every day.

"As a County FA we are committed to helping schools and communities improve their facilities to provide a better quality football experience for players of all ages and abilities."

Ms Flint added: "The Football Foundation's generous grant will make a tremendous contribution to football development in Rossington. This is good for Rossington All Saints and good for the village. The Foundation is investing in the future in grassroots sport, the very future of our national game. I can't wait to see the finished pitch."

Funded by the FA Premier League, the Football Association, Sport England and the Government, the Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities.