A new training facility to expand team sports at Benenden
Sport plays a central role in the life of Benenden students. Its importance cannot be overstated, as students continually learn about their own physical fitness and stamina, as well as having the opportunity to contribute to teams, developing interests which will stay with them through life and improving their own quality of life and future wellbeing.
Sport is where girls can learn goal-setting, strategic thinking and the pursuit of excellence, all critical skills for success in the workplace. Girls learn to take risks, to be assertive and have fun with others.
While Benenden can boast to lead the field in a number of sports, with abundant successes, the School would like to widen student participation in sports, by building an indoor facility that would expand Benenden's inter-school and inter-House team sport. The new facility would also enable Benenden to increase the number of sports on offer.
We hope a wider range of sporting opportunities, will provide every girl with the opportunity to practise her favourite sport, and develop a sporting interest that will last beyond their school and university years for a fit and healthy lifestyle.
New Indoor Multi-Sport Centre
A new-build indoor facility would provide
- Three indoor multi-purpose tennis courts/netball courts to enable all year round training, particularly in the dark winter months
- Additional indoor facilities will enable Benenden to expand its programme of team sport giving more girls the opportunity to participate in team sport
- Multi-purpose indoor facilities would also be used for basketball, volleyball, badminton and six-a-side hockey.
"A new indoor facility at Benenden will help us provide wider access to sporting activities, giving even more girls a programme of competitive sport, something so important in the development of teamwork and leadership skills in young women, and encouraging their lifelong participation in sport."
Val Sawyer, Head of Physical Education
Q. Why does Benenden need another indoor sports hall?
A Sport at Benenden plays a significant role in the life of our students. The development of a wide range of skills and improved levels of personal fitness are crucial to all round education the School offers. The current sports facilities are limited and we seek to offer more year-round, all weather training opportunities.
Q. Does this investment in an indoor three court facility mean we lose three existing courts in the process?
A No. The creation of a new indoor multi-sport centre adds to the variety of sports the School can offer, enables more students to make use of the facility at any time of the year, and allows a more flexible use of a larger indoor space. New indoor courts can be used for tennis, netball, volleyball and any other indoor sports, ensuring the new centre is used to the full.
Q. Will any new sports be introduced with the building of new facilities?
A The new flexible, all-weather centre will enable Benenden to introduce new sports to students. A climbing wall will be a permanent feature of the centre and other sports will be introduced, making best use of the large indoor space. A viewing gallery will also allow spectators to watch indoor fixtures. Improved changing facilities will benefit every pupil.