Radley College Sports Centre

Sport & Play was selected to replace worn cricket nets and provide new divider curtains and storage bags by Radley College, who was bowled over by the company’s knowledgeable and flexible approach.

Founded in 1847, Radley College, is an independent boarding school for boys located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Renowned for its world class sporting facilities, Radley’s cricket tradition is a strong one with England captains Ted Dexter and Andrew Strauss among a number of Old Radleians who have gone on to play the game professionally.

In 1985, Radley built a dedicated sports centre, whose facilities include a 25m swimming pool with adjoining 3.5m diving pit, fitness suite, weights room, sports hall, five squash courts, real tennis court and gymnasium. The centre is used not only by the college students but is also available for hire by local sports teams, plus offered as a leisure club to individual members. The sports hall is used daily for cricket practice and, whilst the college had constantly refurbished and upgraded the apparatus, its original cricket nets were finally showing signs of wear after 30 years’ continuous use.

Having previous experience of working with Sport & Play, Radley College’s Head of Sports Centre, Les Newell, invited the company to quote to supply and install new cricket nets, divider curtains and storage bags.

“I had always been very satisfied with Sport & Play’s service,” explained Les, “However, when they came in to quote for this project, I was especially impressed with how knowledgeable they were and the hints and tips they were happy to give. They were very flexible in their approach and nothing proved a problem for them.”

Sport and Play will provide ongoing inspections and servicing for the cricket nets, ensuring their condition is maintained and continues to be safe for use by Radley’s pupils and visitors alike.