A match is played in front of the new pavilion

Pitch perfect

As hockey's popularity continues to grow, a Birmingham school has upgraded its facilities with a £2.5 million investment

Posted by Stephanie Broad | October 07, 2015 | Sports & Leisure

King Edward's School, facilities, hockey pitch, John Claughton, independent schools

King Edward’s School, Birmingham has opened a new £2.5 million pavilion and astro hockey pitch. Called the Southall Pavilion, the new development has been substantially funded by former pupil Stuart Southall, who is co-founder of the Punter Southall Group and was a keen hockey player when at school. The project has also been supported with funds from the Old Edwardians Association.

This high-specification addition to the school’s sports facilities reflects the growing importance of hockey in the school. King Edward’s has 16 hockey teams which are consistently amongst the best in the Midlands, with the under-16 team reaching the National Finals in April this year. The school’s coaching team also has experience of playing at international level. Michael Johnson, director of Hockey, played for Great Britain in two Olympics while James Fair, who teaches geography, was GB’s goalkeeper at London 2012.

John Claughton, chief master of King Edward’s School, said: “Hockey has grown in popularity and success during recent years and this project is a reflection of its growing importance.

“It is a great game for the boys in that it requires speed and skill and teamwork. This pitch and this pavilion are perhaps the best hockey facility in Birmingham and we have well-developed plans to share its use with local clubs and with local junior schools. The boys will be very lucky to play on such a pitch and be coached by former internationals.

“The school is immensely grateful to Stuart Southall for his great generosity: the game has come a long way since he was a boy here, playing on the cricket outfield.”

Michael Johnson, director of hockey, said: “This is without doubt one of the best hockey facilities in the area. We hope to drive youth hockey in the city through shared usage between King Edward’s School and local hockey clubs. We are also giving the opportunity to local junior schools to access the facility.”

Stuart Southall is the third former pupil in recent times to have provided a substantial donation towards new facilities at King Edward’s School. The £11 million Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, which opened in 2012, was substantially funded by Sir Paul Ruddock and the Andrew Brode Wing, a £5 million modern languages and science centre which opened in 2013, was part-funded by Andrew Brode.

The Southall Pavilion was officially opened on Saturday 29 August by Stuart Southall. Guests at the opening enjoyed a round robin hockey tournament between the school’s 1st XI hockey team and three teams of former pupils from different generations prior to a drinks reception in the new pavilion.

www.kes.org.uk