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The pitches and pavilions created as part of the South of the M4 development are being built for community use.
Although the pitches are being developed by the University and on University land, their primary use is for the local community. Once completed, the facilities will be managed, maintained, and operated by Shinfield Parish Council.
The Manor Sports Pavilion and pitches are now in use and are at home to the Shinfield Cricket Club, managed by Shinfield Parish Council.
The High Copse Pavilion and pitches are currently being created, providing a brand-new sports facility, cricket pitch, and two football pitches for sport in summer 2025. Once completed, the facilities will be managed and operated by Shinfield Parish Council.
Shinfield Parish Council are currently looking to provide an increased range of sports facilities at Millworth Lane Recreation Ground. These include a running track, traverse climbing wall, fitness training, and basketball and netball facilities. The Council are also looking at padel tennis and table tennis tables. Any development at Millworth Lane will see a mix of free-to-use and pay-as-you-go options, increasing access to the facilities for local schools.
The University will provide a further two sports pitches to the north of the High Copse Pavilion and pitches. An application for this was approved in November 2023. The pitches would come forward as part of any requirements from proposed future developments in Shinfield on University of Reading land.
To improve the joined-up development of future sports facilities in Shinfield, the University is working with Shinfield Parish Council, local sports groups, and Wokingham Borough Council to help draft a strategy. The strategy focuses on the whole of Shinfield, which is why both councils will drive development of, and own, the strategy.
The University and Shinfield Parish Council will continue to explore how best to develop current and future plans, taking on board the feedback received to date. However, this is dependent on the funding available and an agreed understanding of how these facilities will be managed.
There was lots of feedback through previous consultations held in 2023 about the limited variety of sports facilities available in the area. The sports facilities that residents would like to see most include basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, dance, tennis and football. There was a strong desire for access to free tennis courts, more all-weather surfaces, increased floodlighting for pitches, an indoor gym facility, and more facilities for older children.
It was clear that there is a lack of open space for non-organised sport. Suggestions to improve this included a running track, an outdoor gym, and a casual kickabout space.