HEADMASTER A MESSAGE FROM THE
At Rossall, sport has never simply been an activity; it has been a defining thread in the life of the School, woven through generations of students who have worn our colours with pride and carried our values far beyond the playing fields. It is found in early morning training sessions, in the discipline required to prepare when others rest, and in the grit that is built through repetition, challenge, and shared endeavour. These are the moments that shape not only stronger athletes, but stronger individuals, instilling a quiet confidence and a winning mentality that endures long after students leave.
What binds this together is something deeper. We are all Rossallians, past and present, connected by a shared identity and a collective pride that transcends time. That sense of belonging matters. It is what turns effort into commitment, participation into purpose, and teams into communities. It is what drives our students to strive not only for personal success, but for one another, and for the School they represent.
This is a heritage built not only on success, but on character, resilience, and an unrelenting desire to improve. As custodians of this legacy, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure that Rossall continues to stand as a beacon of excellence in school sport, not only within our region, but on a national stage. The development of a new 3G pitch for football represents a bold and transformative step in that journey. As our flagship project, it will redefine what is possible for our students, providing a first class, all weather surface that allows talent to flourish every day of the year. It will elevate participation, strengthen performance pathways, and ensure that football at Rossall continues to inspire, unite, and lead with ambition.
Alongside this centrepiece, we are equally committed to enhancing our provision in golf, cricket, and hockey, investing in facilities that reflect the same determination to be exceptional. These developments will honour the traditions of each sport while creating environments that enable the next generation to push boundaries, pursue excellence, and represent Rossall with distinction. Together, they form part of a wider vision to ensure that every student, regardless of discipline, benefits from facilities that match their aspirations and reinforce a culture of high performance.
This is about more than buildings and pitches; it is about legacy. It is about those who came before us, those who walk our corridors today, and those who will follow. With the support of our alumni and wider community, we have the chance to create something enduring and exceptional, a sporting environment that not only reflects who we are, but defines who we will become. In doing so, we can ensure that Rossall stands apart, recognised nationally as a place where talent is nurtured, character is forged, and a true winning mentality is embedded in everything we do.
MR ANDREW MCBRIDE HEADMASTER
VISION FOR SPORT
To provide an academy level provision and facility for Football, Hockey, Cricket, Golf and Netball
To set the school as the market leader in football and golf delivery for UK Independent Schools
Through these actions, establish the school as a national leader in football and golf competitions both within the independent sector and further afield
To establish links within the North West and Internationally through the opportunity of facility offering
To be the North West centre for Hockey, indoor and outdoors.
MEAN TO ROSSALLIANS?
WHAT DOES THE PLAN STUDENTS
For current pupils, these developments will shape everyday life at Rossall. Enhanced sports facilities will provide more opportunities to train, compete, and enjoy physical activity throughout the year.
New social spaces, such as the cafe, will offer places to connect and relax, while the Garden of Reflection will support wellbeing and provide a quiet space to pause.
OLD ROSSALLIANS
While honouring Rossall’s heritage, these developments ensure the school remains forward looking and relevant for future generations. Old Rossallians can take pride by contributing towards an investment in sporting excellence, wellbeing and leaving a lasting legacy and helping to shape the Rossall experience for years to come.
ROSSALL’S NEXT CHAPTER. A PLATFORM FOR THE FUTURE
FOOTBALL ACADEMY
3G PITCH
This development is more than a facilities upgrade. It is a strategic investment in Rossall’s long-term pupil experience.
The new 3G pitch facility will: Enable year-round sport for all ages and abilities
Rossall School needs a 3G pitch to provide a high-quality, all-weather surface that enables year-round participation in sport and co-curricular activities for all pupils. It will support multiple age groups simultaneously, fostering both teamwork and individual development, while promoting wellbeing. By combining accessibility with a professional-standard facility, the pitch will underpin Rossall’s commitment to sporting excellence and inspire the next generation of athletes. We are also planning to improve the Headmasters pitch by improving the quality and adding flood lighting.
To provide a unique footballing experience
To become a market leader in student football provision
To establish ourselves as the best and most successful Football School in the UK
To gain international recognition through our provision, results and partnership with Manchester City FC.
TRIPLE SIM ROOM
GOLF ACADEMY
GOLF POD OUTDOOR
The redevelopment of the golf simulation room will create a fully enclosed, high-performance training environment aligned with Rossall School’s commitment to sporting excellence. The upgraded facility will include three new state-of-the art simulators, allowing for simultaneous coaching, practice, and performance analysis within a bespoke Rossall branded space. Premium astroturf flooring will enhance realism and durability, providing pupils with year round access to elite level golf training.
The addition of an outdoor golf pod at the driving range will significantly increase training provision and accessibility for pupils. Designed as a highquality, sheltered practice space, it will enable consistent use in a variety of weather conditions while supporting both individual practice and coaching sessions. This enhancement will expand capacity and further strengthen Rossall School’s golf programme.
The development of a new three-lane cricket facility will significantly enhance Rossall School’s sporting provision, creating a high quality environment for both training and competition. The project includes the installation of three indoor cricket nets, enabling year round practice and coaching regardless of weather conditions. This investment will strengthen player development pathways and support the continued growth of cricket at Rossall.
Enhanced training environments
Opportunities to host more fixtures and events
Continued development of players at all levels
FIVES, E-SPORT, CARDIO
CRICKET GYM
The redevelopment of the eight fives courts will create a highquality, multi-functional facility, upgrading three courts, while repurposing the remaining spaces for a new cardio gym and a dedicated esports centre. This transformation will significantly expand provision, supporting both elite physical training and the growth of digital sport within a forward looking environment.
GARDEN OF
REFLECTION
During the Kindertransport, Rossall School offered refuge to several German Austrian Jewish boys fleeing Nazi persecution. After arriving at the Dovercourt Bay reception camp, efforts quickly began to secure their safety, sponsorship, and education.
Two young men from King’s College Cambridge travelled to meet them and acted - personally supporting one boy and working tirelessly to find sponsors for others. Through determination and networks of goodwill, the boys were placed with families and offered places at Rossall School, which provided them with stability and a future.
ONE OF THE BOYS LATER REFLECTED;
“ROSSALL SAVED MY LIFE.”
Today, for our children at Rossall, the Garden of Reflection will be more than a memorial. It will bring history to life helping pupils understand compassion, courage and global responsibility. It will also support wellbeing, offering a calm space to pause, reflect and connect within the school day.
As this vision develops, we are grateful for the continued support of our parent and alumni community.
To help fund this project, a limited number of commemorative plaques will be available for purchase and mounted on the wall adjacent to the sculpture. These provide an opportunity to sponsor a plaque in memory of a loved one or to commemorate time at Rossall School.
It will offer:
A place for quiet reflection
Opportunities for memorial tributes
A setting that supports mental wellbeing and mindfulness.
The creation of a new social space for the Rossall community will provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for pupils, staff, parents, and alumni to connect and engage.
As we look to the future, we would like to invite our Rossall community to help support this vision. Together, we have a unique opportunity to shape what comes next, ensuring that Rossall not only continues to grow and innovate, but also inspires generations to come. With an indicative project cost of £2.3 million, this initiative represents a bold and exciting step forward, one that will strengthen our shared legacy and create lasting impact. SCAN TO VISIT THE
To find out more information, please contact
EMMA JOHNSON, FOUNDATION DIRECTOR
Email: e.johnson@rossall.org.uk
Telephone: 01253 774286
www.rossall.org.uk/rossall-school-sport-development