A new high-performance astro turf pitch was unveiled at King Edward’s School on Thursday, as Olympic gold medalist and Team GB hockey player, Crista Cullen, visited the School to open the facility.
The new £400,000 playing surface and training area is one in a series of recent investments in sport by the School, and follows the installation last Spring of four new high-spec all-weather cricket lanes, akin to those in use at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
To celebrate the opening of this exciting new playing space, the School’s Director of Sport, David Hacker, (who played hockey for Great Britain and competed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000) invited Crista Cullen to KES to open the new pitch. Recognised as one of the best hockey defenders in the world, Crista is a Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist, London 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and has over 195 GB and England combined caps.
During her visit, Crista took part in a series of masterclasses with senior school pupils and presented prizes at a U11 hockey tournament hosted by the school.
Commenting on the new astro turf pitch, Martin Boden, Headmaster of King Edward’s said, “King Edward’s has a strong sporting heritage and the school’s investment in the new astro turf forms part of our ongoing commitment to invest in first-class facilities to support and enhance the drive, ambition and talent of our young sportsmen and women.”
David Hacker, Director of Sport at KES, added, “The excellent new playing surface and training area are already having a significant impact on players and coaches alike, and can only add to the expanding sports programme here at King Edward’s as we continue to invest in both our facilities and the pedigree of our coaching team.”
