Bluecoat Sports Centre (©Alan Wright Photography)
A new all-weather athletics track and adventure trail has been officially opened at Bluecoat Sports Health & Fitness Club at Christ’s Hospital.
The £9million facility includes a six-lane athletics track – extended on one side to eight lanes for sprint events – as well as facilities for field events including hammer, discus, long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put and javelin. Modern touches include SmartTrack technology, which is embedded beneath the running track to allow users to access real-time performance data through the Smart Run app.
Another unique aspect of the project is an interactive adventure trail. This outdoor exploration space has 18 different features and apparatus, including a climbing wall, sand dune, stepping stones, scramble net, see-saw balance beams, body weight gym, running bowl and a crash mat leap, which was bravely demonstrated by Horsham MP John Milne (above right) at an opening event on Saturday 26 September. The adventure trail is encompassed within a multi-surface running track which helps recreate a variety of different conditions.
Chris Markham, General Manager at Bluecoat Sports (below), said: ‘It will take time to see how the adventure trail is utilised, as there’s nothing else quite like it anywhere else in the UK. As well as making maximum use of the available space, one of the aims of the trail is to encourage people to explore their own boundaries when it comes to health and fitness, so it includes challenging elements that come with a degree of risk. While we want to give people that freedom, we also need to ensure the facility is as safe as possible.’
The adventure trail was opened by Stephanie Twell, John Milne (Horsham MP), and Cllr Joanne Knowles (©Alan Wright Photography)
The new facility has been funded by Christ’s Hospital, an independent day and boarding school founded in 1552. Through its unique charitable mission, the school offers means-tested fees, so that students from all backgrounds can benefit from a Christ’s Hospital education.
Like the four padel courts – which opened in November 2025– the athletics track and is available to pupils and students at Christ’s Hospital School, as well as members of Bluecoat Sports. However, when granting planning permission, Horsham District Council stipulated that the facility also benefit the wider community. Bluecoat Sports is fulfilling this commitment by strengthening its links with local sports clubs and organisations, while also reaching out to local primary and secondary schools.
James Maclean, Chairman of Bluecoat Sports, said: ‘This marks the end of a 10-year journey and during that time we went through the planning process three times, as the Council had expressed concerns over access (particularly public transport links) as well as flood-lighting hours. We also agreed to extend the facility’s community use and since doing so, have exceeded expectations with our outreach programme. Through our Exercise Referral Scheme, we liaise with local GP surgeries, as well as health and wellbeing services, to offer free exercise classes, helping local people with rehabilitation for injuries, or those looking to improve their general health and wellbeing. What’s interesting is that many of those who have benefitted from these sessions have become members and are continuing their journey for a healthier, more active lifestyle with us.’
James Maclean, Chairman of Bluecoat Sports (©Alan Wright Photography)
SCHOOLS FOCUS
Already, some 35 clubs and societies use the facilities at Bluecoat Sports, including Mel’s Milers – which organises a run from the centre on Friday mornings – and Horsham Amphibians Triathlon – whose members use the track, pool and virtual cycling classes. The latest addition broadens the opportunities available to such clubs.
Like other facilities at Bluecoat Sports, such as the sports hall and Astroturf pitches, the athletics track is available to hire. Meanwhile, Holly Prescott has been appointed to a new role of Sports Development Lead, with the aim of growing the outreach programme. Holly said: ‘One of my aims is to drive further community use. Events such as the Mini-Lympics for 5-8-year-olds are a great way of introducing children to athletics in a fun way, while we are also reaching out to local schools that may not have their own running track, so they too can use our facilities for the benefit of pupils. The Bluecoat Sports team work closely with the Sports department at Christ’s Hospital, with experienced coaching staff leading sessions for local schoolchildren. As well as being a fantastic opportunity for other schools, it’s also an opportunity for us to showcase what we can offer at Bluecoat Sports, and of course the remarkable education provided by the School.’
The Adventure Trail features a climbing wall (©Alan Wright Photography)
HEALTHY LIVING
The adventure trail was officially opened by John Milne (Horsham MP), Councillor Joanne Knowles (Chair of Horsham District Council) and athlete Stephanie Twell. Stephanie is one of just a handful of people to have competed in three different disciplines at three different Olympics. After competing in the 1500m at Beijing, she ran the 5000m in Rio and the Marathon in Japan. Stephanie continues to run for Aldershot, Farnham & District, and – as a former World Junior Champion – understands the value of modern facilities. She said: ‘Athletics has given me many happy memories. While good facilities are vital in terms of developing the next generation of track and field stars, they’re also wonderful communal spaces, bringing people of all ages and abilities together in a friendly, social setting and encouraging healthy lifestyles.’
As with other facilities at Bluecoat Sports, the track is utilised by Christ’s Hospital School too. James Maclean, Chair of BCS, says that its students have been quick to take advantage of the new facility. He said: ‘On the very first day, we saw students out on the track at 6am! ‘As soon as the ribbon was cut, they were ready to go! Because of the school’s unique Mission, the cohort comes from a cross-section of society and many students don’t have access to green spaces at home. So, this facility is an essential part of the school’s broader curriculum. It’s also important to remember that everything we do at Bluecoat Sports is recycled into building better community facilities, while any surplus goes back to educating children. Not a penny is taken in profit and instead goes towards giving children an opportunity that they wouldn’t otherwise receive.’
Further information: Visit Bluecoat Sports at Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, RH13 0YB Visit: www.bluecoatsports.co.uk
Article published in the October 2026 edition of AAH (All About Horsham) Magazine. Words: Ben Morris/Photos: Alan Wright Photography