Education Today Education Today Magazine
The Julian Hill Cricket Centre at Merchant Taylors’ School in Northwood has now opened, with guest of honour and former England captain, Sir Andrew Strauss OBE, declaring the new five-lane indoor facility officially open.
At a celebration attended by supporters of the new centre, Sir Andrew Strauss said, “This new indoor training centre is an outstanding facility and will provide young cricketers with the opportunity to train year-round and hone their skills for success on the pitch. It truly is world-class and will, I am sure, help develop young talent for years to come.”
As well as providing Merchant Taylors’ cricketers with one of the best school cricket facilities in the country, the new cricket centre will transform indoor cricket provision in the region. The centre is the base for Middlesex County Cricket Club’s indoor training and the School regularly hosts international touring sides.
Middlesex County Cricket Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cornish, said “The Centre is an elite-level facility, giving our professional players an outstanding base for their pre-season preparations. On our first day of training, one of our extremely experienced international opening batsmen, declared it the best artificial surface he had ever trained on.”
The London and the East region’s women’s team, The Sunrisers, hold weekly training sessions at Merchant Taylors’ in addition to over 17 local cricket clubs who have used the cricket centre to date.
The building is named in recognition of Julian Hill, Merchant Taylors’ alumnus and keen cricketer whose generous £1million legacy made the project possible together with other donations from members of the Merchant Taylors’ community. In fact, the cricket centre is a uniquely philanthropic initiative whereby lettings income profits will go towards funding bursary places at the School.
“Since our foundation in 1561, Merchant Taylors’ has been dedicated to providing the best educational opportunities possible to children with talent. Not only will this cricket centre provide first class training facilities for our pupils, but it will change lives by enabling us to further expand our bursary programme”, said Simon Everson, Head Master.
With five lanes – three for fast bowling; two for spin – the cricket centre has the most advanced, ECB approved, playing surface and lighting available. The unique system of netting makes the space flexible and adaptable. There is a dedicated area for fielding and catching practice comprised of softer turf allowing diving and replicating the outfield. A range of bowling and fielding machines, including two Merlyn spin bowling machines, is available, and analysis equipment is available for immediate player feedback enabling self-coaching.
For schools and clubs wishing to book the facility they should email Lettings@mtsn.org.uk or call 01923 845550.
