The first football matches to be played on the new pitches at the High Copse sports ground near Shinfield took place on Saturday 8 November.
As the new home of Shinfield Rangers Football Club, the inaugural matches included both boys teams and girls teams, with the club excited and impressed by the new facilities.
The occasion marked the moment local sports clubs and the wider community have been eagerly awaiting since the pavilion opened its doors in January 2025.
The £7 million High Copse facility features a purpose-built pavilion with changing rooms, a large function room and a kitchen/bar, alongside two football pitches and a full-size cricket pitch that will be available to use from April 2026.
The facility has been provided by the University of Reading as part of the Shinfield West housing development and is managed and maintained by Shinfield Parish Council.
The opening of the sports pitches addresses growing demand from local sports clubs and provides much-needed additional capacity for youth and community sport in the area.
Molli Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager at the University of Reading, said: “It’s wonderful to see these pitches finally in use and to see the excitement of the young players taking to the field for the first time. This facility represents the University’s commitment to supporting local communities, and we’re delighted that Shinfield Rangers and other local clubs will benefit from these high-quality sports facilities for years to come.”
Cllr Brett Johnson, Chair of Shinfield Parish Council’s Facilities Committee, said: “While the Council has been operating the pavilion for community use since January 2025, it is fantastic to now see these excellent new facilities being used for their primary purpose – expanding the provision for local football and cricket teams.
“It was a joy to watch the first football matches played here and welcome Shinfield Rangers FC to their new home. We look forward to the first cricket matches when the season begins next year and are in talks with local clubs. This is the next big step for sport in the parish and we will now consider how we can broaden our provision even further, encouraging people to lead healthy, active lifestyles.”
The pavilion is also available for private hire.
