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Sporting stars inspire the next generation at opening of the new St Swithun’s sporting facility |
St Swithun’s School in Winchester welcomed two sporting stars on site last week to formally open its new indoor netball and tennis centre.
Tennis coach and broadcaster Judy Murray OBE spent the morning coaching senior and prep pupils alongside children from Winnall Primary School. Judy appeared as an ambassador for Doe Sport (North) Ltd, the contractors who built the centre on time and on budget.
“It was pleasure to open this new netball and tennis centre. I am a huge believer in the power of sport. Not just for its physical and mental health benefits, but for the life skills that it develops in young people. If we had a lot more adaptable facilities like this that are open to the local community outside school hours, then I’m sure tennis and netball would be in a much better place in this country. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Judy Murray OBE.
In the afternoon, former St Swithun’s student and London Pulse and England Roses A netball star Sophie Kelly joined senior and prep netball sessions while visitors, including the Mayor of Winchester, also had the opportunity to try out pickleball on the new courts.
The new centre will provide year-round world-class sporting facilities for both the prep and senior school. It will bring greater consistency and predictability in curriculum sport and will inspire even more girls to enjoy physical activity and the benefits it brings.
The centre offers flexible spaces for a range of sports including space to host three netball courts, four tennis courts and eight pickleball courts. A new performance, strength and conditioning suite will empower girls to be active, while a spectator gallery will provide space for nearly 150 parents to watch and enjoy their daughters’ matches and training sessions. 
The courts themselves are cushioned acrylic flooring - the official surface of the Australian Open. The surface provides high levels of shock absorption and helps protect knee joints thanks to its layer of liquid rubber.
The building was initially designed and taken to planning by Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt and delivered by the team at Doe Sport (North) Ltd, the expert contractors for the build. Ground was broken on the project in summer 2025. Construction was completed in mid-August and hiring of the facility commenced earlier this month. When not in use by the school, the venue will be available for hire by local and regional clubs and community groups, which includes England Netball South, London Pulse, Western Park Blades and Winchester Pickleball. Private tennis lessons can also be booked by members of the local community.
The centre will become part of the school’s local partnership programme. This includes activities such as weekly academic enrichment sessions, sports and drama events, and swimming classes, which help over 200 students every week.
Jane Gandee, St Swithun’s headmistress, said, “This is a project which I’ve wanted to happen ever since I first joined St Swithun’s. It will unambiguously improve sporting access for all our students here at St Swithun's. It is a key part of our ongoing commitment to provide a complete education for girls - empowering all students to excel whether in the classroom, on the sports pitch or in life."
“This new centre represents opportunity. For learning, for teamwork, for confidence building and for discovering what you're capable of. I hope that it becomes a place where students push themselves, support each other and create memories that will stay with them after they leave school.”
Sophie Kelly.
Liz Norris prep head added, “Our girls loved being part of the event and spending time with both Judy and Sophie. The new centre will help spark a lifelong love of sports and wellbeing in girls from the beginning of their time in the prep. We are hugely excited that our students will benefit from it.”
Attention will now turn to fundraising to enable the second stage of the project: a new sports complex adjoining the swimming pool building. This would include a fitness suite, flexible studio spaces with a dance studio, a café and new changing facilities.
