Paralympic Champion Sammi Kinghorn to Open Gordon's New Games Area

Gordon's new Multi Use Games Area will be formally opened on Saturday 3rd October, with a full day of free coaching, open play and a ribbon cut by one of the Borders' best-known sportspeople.

The site was the village tennis court for many years, but had gone without serious investment or maintenance for a long time. Rather than patch it up again, the decision was taken to rebuild it properly. The result is a fenced, all-weather court marked out for four sports, tennis, pickleball, five-a-side football and basketball.  An application has been made to Scottish Borders Council for the installation of floodlighting to enable year round use.

The project represents an investment of more than £110,000, supported by Sport Scotland, the major supporter with a grant of £53.5k and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which provided £43.5k. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. The project also benefitted from a Neighbourhood Support Fund Grant from Scottish Borders Council.

The facility will be formally opened by paralympian Sammi Kinghorn OBE, who was born and brought up on a farm near Gordon and went to school at Earlston.

Sammi is Britain's fastest-ever female wheelchair racer. She took bronze in the T53 100m at Tokyo, then won gold in the T53 100m at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games along with four silver medals, and has been a world and European champion several times over. She was appointed MBE and then OBE for services to athletics, and was an official ambassador for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

How the day will run

• 10.00am – 10.30am — Official opening
• 10.30am – 11.30am — Tennis session
• 11.30am – 12.00pm — Break and football set-up
• 12.00pm – 1.00pm — Football session
• 1.00pm – 3.00pm — Open session

Professional tennis and football coaches will be running free sessions through the morning and into the afternoon, open to all ages and all abilities. Nothing needs to be booked, just turn up.

The open session from 1.00pm is a chance to try the court for yourself, whether that is a game of five-a-side, some shooting practice at the basketball hoop, or a first go at pickleball. Bring trainers or court shoes; studded boots are not allowed on the surface.

The MUGA is already in use and can be booked now, for today or for any date ahead.  Block bookings for clubs and groups by arrangement. Full details, live availability and the booking form are on the MUGA page of the village website (https://www.gordonvillage.co.uk/facilities/muga)

The court sits at Gordon Community Sports Field, on the road to Kelso next to the Bowling Club, and is managed by Gordon Community Sports Field Group SCIO (Scottish charity SC052077).

Everyone is welcome on the 3rd, whether you plan to play or just want to come along and see what the village has gained.