Windermere School officially unveiled its brand new, state-of-the-art all weather pitch on Saturday, with an inaugural hockey match between a team of former students and a team of current students.
The new pitch, which is part of the school’s ongoing programme of improvements, covers an area of just over 6000 square metres. There are over 300m of new kickboards around the side of the pitch; more than 250 tonnes of fine sand have been brushed and levelled into its pile; and around 70 tonnes of rubber granules have been used to form the rubber shock pad in its base. It is an England Hockey, Category 2, sand dressed pitch, which means that it meets the minimum standards required for National Premier Hockey Competitions.
The new pitch was officially opened by former student, Jenny Broomby, who left the school in 2013. Jenny’s year group campaigned vigorously to make Wednesday afternoon a dedicated sports afternoon for the Sixth Form, something which persists to this day.
The weather on the day certainly gave the new pitch a thorough test, as heavy, overnight rain continued right up to the start of the match, a match which proved to be very competitive, yet one which was played in a very good-natured and friendly manner.
Cheered on by enthusiastic pupils, parents and staff, the former students quickly took the lead through Richard Flint, a former England U16 Hockey player, suggesting that this was going to be a one-sided match, a notion strengthened by the former students’ 5-2 half-time lead. However, the current students had other ideas and fought back gallantly in the second half, levelling the scores at 6-6 with just a few minutes left to play. But it was the former students who had the last laugh, scoring late on to win the match 7-6.
Head of PE and Sport at Windermere School, Daniel Reid, who took part in the game, said, “This is a fantastic new facility for the school, one which gives the students the chance to enjoy sport all year round. As a school, we do emphasise the need for the students to lead healthy lives, whether on the sports pitch, on the lakes or on the fells, and I have no doubt that this new pitch will prove to be a real asset for the school.”
Mr Lavender, Headmaster at Windermere School, thoroughly enjoyed the match, adding, “This was a truly uplifting occasion and one which has generated much excitement. Some students have travelled a long way to play in this match and seldom have I seen such good sportsmanship on the pitch. My thanks go to everyone who has made this possible, to the many parents who came to watch and, of course, to the catering team, for providing a superb afternoon tea following the match.
We are committed to our programme of improvements and to see one of this size come to fruition is just wonderful.”