Steve Rider joins Principals to open new Astroturf at Claires Court Juniors

The former BBC and ITV Sport commentator Steve Rider joined Principals Hugh and James Wilding as they opened a new Astroturf facility at Claires Court Juniors on Friday (March 7).

The sun was shining as the new all-weather facility was opened, having been installed by the school’s construction partner Spade Oak after gaining approval from Sport England.

The Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) is a 1,855m2 facility with a variety of different markings for different sports. The school will be able to host hockey matches, tennis matches, netball matches, and it can also be used for five and seven a side football.

Claires Court is well known for its sporting provision, and it is hoped the new facility will inspire students to progress in a wide variety of sports and represent the school well in both regional and national competitions.

The new astro will enable the school to practice all sports throughout the winter months, providing an all-weather option for the school.

Several other clubs partnered with the school will also have the chance to use it throughout the year, including Maidenhead United Juniors.

James Wilding, Academic Principal said “We are thrilled with the addition of this new multi-use games area, now known as our Junior Astro, as it will benefit so many children both at our school and in the local area.

“The growth of our sports club partnership work with Maidenhead United Juniors,

“Living Tennis, Eagles netball, Maidenhead Hockey and our many cricket clubs can only be strengthened by our ability to offer this facility plus it will enable more extended partnership work with other local schools and the wider community.”

The surface grass installed on the pitch is of the highest quality and complies with the performance standards of FIH class "National Class 1" and "Multisport Class 1 and 2", "Community Gen 2 multisport",

Steve Rider was invited to cut the ribbon to officially open the facility alongside the Principals and Year 2 pupils christened the new turf with a demonstration of hockey drills and training.

Netball with the juniors, and football with the senior boys, then followed. The sessions featured the netball team due to compete in the ISA National Finals on March 21 and two boys who have been signed to play football for Brentford FC’s Academy.

The event finished with Max, a nationally ranked junior tennis player demonstrating his skills with the head coach of the Delgado and Lee Tennis Academy, Tom Greenland.

Claires Court is currently ranked as the sixth best school in the UK for boys’ tennis and its u18s boys team finished fourth in the UK last year.

Speaking at the event, Steve Rider said “This is such a great facility for Claires Court, and I'm delighted to be able to share the excitement of the opening with them.

“It will be an asset for the school and importantly for the local community to benefit from too.”

Hugh Wilding concluded “It was a wonderful opportunity for our junior and senior boys to demonstrate so well the facility we now have at Juniors.

“We know that this new asset will be a huge success, and we thank all our contractors for completing the job ready for use in the Spring term.”

Claires Court is an independent day school for boys and girls in Maidenhead for pupils aged two to 19 years old. The school has three sites in the town. For more information visit www.clairescourt.com