Educational Establishments


“Our main cricket square is the jewel in Ampleforth’s crown without doubt,” states Colin. “The view from the pitch is matchless with the backdrop of the Abbey and College on one side and the valley fields in the distance on the other.”


The school is proud of its long and successful cricketing tradition. The pavilion hosts all the 1st Xl team photographs dating from 1922 to the present day, forming the heart of summer sport.


“Hospitality is one of our Benedictine core values, most evident in the pavilion over the summer,” adds Colin. “Tennis, rounders and cricket teams all congregate for tea throughout the day on Saturdays, creating a welcoming environment that’s hard to beat.”


The College boasts eight synthetic practice strips, four grass ones and four carpeted nets indoors at Ampleforth’s St Alban’s Sports Centre, keeping the students busy throughout the winter.


“We’re working with multi‐surfaces and setting a standard for their differing requirements,” says Colin. “The 40‐year old


“


‘roro’ covers, which once belonged to Scarborough’s North Marine Road Cricket ground, are still the main protection when preparing the 1st X1 wickets, supported by the use of a number of different size climate sheets, some of which can stretch across two and half wickets, and are easier to work with.”


He has to vie with other departments for funding. “More sight screens and new scoreboards are planned to enhance the standard of the rest of the grounds.” Hockey is growing in


popularity. After sterling service, the full size sand‐dressed hockey pitch was replaced last July. “The engineered base was in an acceptable condition ‐ only the shockpad and carpet were replaced,” says Colin.


“The existing Politan surface was laid about seventeen years ago, so it certainly lasted well and still played true but, due to the


surface becoming increasingly slippery in damp conditions, there was a need for replacement."


Student competitiveness aside, rivalry amongst heads of sport can surface regularly, as it does in many schools committed to excellence across the board of provision.


“There’s talk about the need for a full size 3G pitch for rugby and football training,” says Colin, “but the eight


synthetic cricket practice strips need


Our main cricket square is the jewel in Ampleforth’s crown without doubt. The view from the pitch is matchless with the backdrop of the Abbey and College on one side and the valley fields in the distance on the other


78 I PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018


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