Its jolly hockey sticks for The Holt’s students as their new £290,000 state-of-the-art sporting facilities have been officially opened thanks to a partnership with Wokingham Borough Council. 

The new Multi-Use -Games-Area (MUGA) at the Holt School will give students greater choice and flexibility in the sports they play, top quality facilities to further improve their game, and the ability to once again host home fixtures. 

The new MUGA stands on the site of a former hockey pitch - once one of Berkshire’s finest venues for county games. 

But in recent years the field had fallen victim to nature and was suffering badly from bald patches, rabbits and foxes – all of which made it virtually useless for sports. 

Although primarily designed for hockey and football, the MUGA can also be used for rounders, netball, circuit and fitness training.

It measures 80m by 40m, has synthetic turf constructed on Tarmacdam base, and light perimeter fencing. It has no floodlighting at present. 

At the official opening Cllr Rob Stanton, deputy leader of the council, said: "This a stunning piece of engineering. Wokingham Borough Council strongly supports the development of secondary schools and academies such as The Holt.

"This is an example of where the school and the council have worked together to bring about a major piece of improvement to the Holt School and its students."

Headteacher at The Holt School, Suzanne Richards, agreed.

"It’s a fantastic facility which will revolutionise sports here," she said.  "The girls will absolutely love it - most of the time. They might not be so keen when it’s cold or wet and there are no excuses now for indoor lessons!" 

The new MUGA at the Holt School is part of a £12 million investment by Wokingham Borough Council this year on primary and secondary school buildings.