Reading Blue Coat is delighted to unveil a new tented indoor cricket facility that will support students throughout the winter months. This innovative development is a fantastic way to make the most of the facilities we already have, ensuring students benefit from high-quality training opportunities all year round. The new space allows the School to deliver a comprehensive winter cricket programme, with sessions for different year groups, a junior development group, and senior teams.

Uptake has already been extremely positive, particularly among senior players. The facility provides a comfortable environment for cricket training and ensures the sport can continue uninterrupted during the winter season, offering greater flexibility and consistency for students of all abilities.

Mr Blandford, Head of Cricket, commented:

It’s very exciting to have this facility, not only will it benefit the cricket programme but it releases the sports hall for netball and other sports. The ability to have a warm, dry and spacious area throughout the winter will enable us to provide structured cricket sessions to everyone from first time players to those wanting to play at a high level post school. We are now able to offer 12 different cricket sessions throughout the week, this includes year group winter training, our junior development training group and our senior teams. The uptake for the five available senior sessions has been brilliant already, in small groups and as a team. I’m looking forward to seeing the students make the most of this opportunity and the benefits it will have this coming season.

The facility represents an exciting step forward for cricket at Reading Blue Coat and reflects the School’s continued commitment to providing high-quality sporting opportunities for all students.