Howzat? New academy in Brighton to produce cricket stars of the future
With the T20 World Cup now well underway in India and Sri Lanka, property consultancy Vail Williams is marking its role in advising the University of Brighton on the opening of the UK’s largest indoor cricket academy.
The Square One Cricket Academy at the University of Brighton enables aspiring cricketers to develop their talents while earning a degree through academic studies by offering top-tier professional coaching and cutting-edge facilities.
The academy is a groundbreaking partnership between the university and Square One Education Ltd and is based at the university’s new Brighton Sport and Health Complex in Falmer.
At approximately 2,200 square metres, Square One Cricket Academy is larger than both Lord’s Indoor Cricket Centre and the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough University – and is second biggest in the world.
It offers nine-lane indoor cricket nets with full 21-metre run ups, ball tracking technology, advanced bowling machines and two indoor cricket courts – as well as modern cricket science and performance data.
Steve Berrett, Vail Williams’ partner based in the Gatwick region, said: “This is a fantastic, world-class training environment catering to elite student cricketers of all ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities.
“This is a great example of repurposing underused leisure space. What was previously indoor tennis courts, originally part of Virgin Active fitness, now delivers a superb addition to the University’s sports facilities.
“We assisted long-term client university in the leasing of the former tennis courts and act in an ongoing consultancy and advisory role with regard to matters such as the disposal of Pavilion Parade in Brighton and marketing of Leaf Hospital in Eastbourne
“The academy is the perfect place to develop the next Joe Root, Harry Brook or Joss Buttler and will also help the university further deliver on its ambition to be a top provider for sports education for students from across the UK and around the world.”
Square One Education, which provided capital funding to refurbish the space and project managed its installation, now runs the academy on a day-to-day basis, providing a team of highly qualified and experienced coaches. As part of the arrangement, The Square One Cricket Academy will also be open to local clubs and schools for coaching purposes.
Steve Porcher, University of Brighton director of estates, said: “We are delighted to see the Square One Cricket Academy open on our Falmer campus. It represents a major enhancement to our sport and health facilities and shows what can be achieved through effective partnership working.
“Vail Williams has played an important role in helping us bring this project forward, and their support has been invaluable throughout the process.
“This purpose‑built space will enable our students to excel both academically and athletically, while also creating new opportunities for local clubs and schools. It is a superb addition to the campus and a key part of our ambition to provide first-class facilities for our community.”
The University of Brighton’s Falmer campus is home to its School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences and recently underwent significant refurbishment and expansion.
This has seen the creation of world-class facilities to support teaching, learning and research alongside new sport and leisure facilities for students, staff and the local community.
Vail Williams’ full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy.
