A COMMUNITY football pitch has reopened after a major refurbishment funded by Arsenal and adidas.

To celebrate, local children and councillors came together for a kick-about on the Mayville Estate pitch in Mildmay last Wednesday.

Community-led projects, Access to Sports and Sports and Life Skills, pitched in to deliver free activities for the children.

The pitch has been upgraded as part of Islington Council, adidas and Arsenal’s campaign No More Red which aims to help keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence. It is the third pitch to be transformed under the campaign, after pitches at Harvist and King Square Estates previously received upgrades.

The hope is that the revamped football pitch will be a safe space for children to enjoy during summer.

Councillor Flora Williamson, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, said: “In Islington, we are committed to supporting our communities and working to make our borough a place where young people receive the best start in life.

“By investing in safe spaces to play football, like the Mayville Estate pitch, we can give Islington’s young people room to stay active, have fun, learn new skills and fulfil their potential.”

She further thanked Arsenal and adidas “for enabling the transformation of this pitch, and for their ongoing commitment to young persons through their No More Red campaign”.

Freddie Hudson, Head of Arsenal in the Community, said: “I’m really proud to see our partnership with adidas deliver a third pitch in the borough. Pitches such as this are valuable safe spaces, giving young people access to a support network with important role models across our local community. This helps to create a sense of belonging, something which continues to be at the heart of our No More Red campaign.”