Leighton Park Celebrates New Hockey Astroturf

Leighton Park School officially inaugurated its new state-of-the-art hockey astroturf. This is a significant milestone for the school’s sports programme. Olympic hockey player, Shona McCallin, set the tone and formally opened the pitch with an inspiring speech, reflecting on her journey to winning Olympic Gold.

Shona McCallin

Shona told us: “I am biased because I love sport. It has given me so many opportunities, confidence and lifelong friends – as well as the ability to travel the world. You get a real sense of belonging from being in a team, which was so powerful for me growing up. For these young people, this facility will open up so many opportunities. It is brilliant that it is now open. I wish I’d had something like this when I was at school.”

The grand opening

The grand opening on Thursday was not just a celebration of the new facilities but also a showcase of talent and sportsmanship with two spectacular hockey matches.

The event kicked off with an intense game between the Leighton Park Girls’ U18 1st team and their counterparts from Reddam House. Both teams displayed exceptional skill and teamwork. Leighton Park’s girls clinched a 3-1 victory. The goals were scored by Charlotte C, Charlotte H and Flick. Supporting students and staff cheered from the side lines, enjoying the speed and skill on display. All the girls showed their quality, honed through hard work in training. Special mention goes to Charlotte C and and Niamh. Charlotte’s energy and commitment was on display from start to finish. Niamh’s excellent tackle and weaving run led to the second goal.

Matt Richards, our Chemistry teacher and Head of Hockey, also a Reading 1 st Team player commented: “I’m very excited to see a high level of hockey. It is amazing to have an Olympian here to open this new hockey astroturf. It will help the students to improve their technical skills and our ability to host local area tournaments.”

Leighton Park U18 1st team member, Cali, commented: “It is so lovely to have this amazing new hockey astroturf especially after all the recent successes we’ve been having. It feels like a well-deserved reward.”

Goal scorer Charlotte C is also in the England Rugby Developing Player Programme. She commented: “Throw yourself into every sport possible because it really opens doors. The values you get from sport are so important and will stick with you throughout life.” Fellow goal scorer Charlotte H is in Upper Sixth. She added: “I’m really proud, we had a really special team this year, helped by having so many sports trips together. I couldn’t be happier that we were able to round of this incredible experience with the opening of this new hockey astroturf.”

First match for Leighton Park boys

Following the girls’ triumph, the hockey astroturf bore witness to a thrilling exhibition match featuring Leighton Park boys. They competed against distinguished players from Reading’s Performance Squad. This high-octane match provided an opportunity for Leighton Park students to play alongside top-tier athletes. Competitions enhance their skills and it’sgreat they can experience firsthand the pace and intensity of higher-level competition.

First goal scorer and Leighton Park student, Ollie in Year 12, plays in the England U16 Hockey team. He commented: “I’m really excited to use this facility. I enjoy my hockey and it is great for the team to help take us to the next level.” His younger brother George in Year 9 showed he wasn’t daunted by playing against a top-quality men’s side either. He scored the third goal with a lovely jinking run.

The new facility, equipped with the latest in turf technology, promises to be a game-changer for the school’s hockey teams. “This new astroturf represents a significant investment in our sports facilities. It demonstrates our commitment to excellence in all aspects of school life, including sport” said Deputy Head Pastoral, Nicky Hardy.

The successful matches against Reddam House and the collaboration with Reading’s Performance Squad have set a high standard for the future, promising many more thrilling encounters on this high-quality new pitch.

Leighton Park offers over thirty different sports as part of our Games ad Co-curricular programmes. Hockey is one of our focus sports, alongside Football and Netball.

Editor’s Notes

Leighton Park has received several recent accolades, including winning Senior School of the Year in the Independent Schools Association Awards 2023 and being a Finalist for Independent School of the Year in the TES Awards 2023. The most recent UK Government analysis shows that the school’s Sixth Form leavers achieved the best academic progress in Berkshire, while the Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded it excellent in all areas in January 2022 – the highest possible attainment for an independent school.

The School was recognised as a national leader for Pupil Personal Development in 2022, winning the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Award for Excellence in this area. In the same year the School gained the Wellbeing Award for Schools,
accredited by the National Children’s Bureau.

Leighton Park School is a day and boarding school for 11-18 year olds in Reading, Berkshire. For more information please see www.leightonpark.com

Images:

1 Shona McCallin opening the new astro

2 Students celebrating a goal

3 Tight contest with Reddam

4 George in Year 9 achieved a stunning goal playing against the Reading Men’s Performance Squad