Millfield's state of the art indoor Golf and Cricket Centres now open

Building work is now completed on Millfield's state of the art indoor Golf and Cricket Centres on campus.

The new £2.6m Centres, which have received endorsement from leading cricket and golfing figures, including David Graveney MBE (Former England Chairman of Selectors and current ECB National Performance Manager) and Sophie Keech (Women’s Professional Golfer), feature world-leading technology, including through motion tracking and simulation software, placing Millfield at the forefront of school and university facilities for both sports. 

Millfield already supports regional and national programmes in both sports and these new facilities give the school the opportunity to further develop community partnerships.

Millfield Indoor Cricket Centre

For Millfield Cricket, the new facility enables the sport to practise all the year round, at all times of day, to increase the already 370 strong programme (including 80 girls). It also encourages independent practice, which is key in the development of high performance cricket. The Centre features new PitchVision technology on three lanes, a state of the art 4G fielding area, three adaptable bowling and batting surfaces, as well as five nets and an expansive 22 metre run-up.

Mark Garaway, Director of Cricket said, “The Millfield Indoor Cricket Centre will create a far greater opportunity for all Millfield cricketers, irrespective of age, experience level or ability. The Centre places Millfield Cricket at the forefront of cricket development for many decades to come and will also act as a hub for cricketing organisations up and down the Cricketing pathway.”

The John Graveney Golf Centre

The John Graveney Golf Centre, named after Old Millfieldian John Graveney who had a long history with Millfield, is situated in close proximity to the other golfing facilities and can be used all year. Enhancing the already impressive facilities with the latest in technology, the new all year round facilities include two teaching bays with the opportunity to hit balls from the inside to outside. A further 6 practice bays, an 81 square meter Huxley putting green and the use of the GC Quad Ball Monitor, will enable players to have feedback on all shots, including putting. The new Golf Centre allows the golf programme to expand group sessions, as 16 pupils will be able to use the facilities at the same time.

Karen Nicholls, Director of Golf added, “The new golf centre will take golf at Millfield to a new level. We already have great outdoor golf facilities on campus so having such a vast indoor area will further enhance these facilities and be fantastic for all golfers.”
Both departments have developed a number of successful former pupils, including England and Somerset County Cricket’s Craig Kieswetter and James Hildreth and current PGA professional Ben Taylor and Sophie Keech, who is a women’s professional player on the Ladies Access Tour.

Endorsements
David Graveney, MBE (Gloucestershire and Durham CCC – England Chairman of Selectors and current ECB National Performance Manager) said, “A cricket specific Indoor Centre next to the Iconic Cricket Ground shall enhance the skills of all pupils and place Millfield at the forefront of Elite Cricket Development in this country.”

Sophie Keech, former Millfield pupil and women’s professional player on the Ladies Access Tour, said “Being a former pupil, I understand how difficult it is to train during the winter months. An indoor training area will benefit all, helping to achieve their best results and help towards their future. Golf is growing in popularity and being a good golfer is not all about talent, it’s about practice! With all the new technology available, such as the GC Quad this only helps you go to the next level.”